A film by Alexander Dumas and directed by Ben Guillory
By ODALYS NANIN
LATC Theater 4 (The Hollywood Times) 10/14/2024
The Great Lover is a comedy about the Duke de Richelieu (adeptly played by Julio Hanson) making a wager to seduce a young woman named Gabrielle de Belle-Isle (delightfully played by CJ Obilom) but his plans are thwarted by the Marquise de Prie (skillfully played by Tiffany Coty-Goines). Comedy and Drama are deftly interwoven creating an entertaining play full of intrigue, danger and romance.
Our story is set in 18th Century France even though Dumas was a pioneer of the French romanticism of 19th Century. He was a prolific writer of African descent and French nobility. His most famous novels are The Three Musketeers, Man in the Iron Mask, The Lady of the Camellias and The Count of Monte Cristo.
Dumas’s play The Great Lover is a social and political commentary regarding the frivolous lives of the nobility. One of the lines that stand out wittily delivered by Gabrielle to her fiancée Lieutenant Raoul Sevran (handsomely played by Jason Mimms); “This silly man who gives half their heart to love and half to their pride.”
The rest of the cast are Jenny Cadena who shines as the maid Mariette, and solid performances by Josh Bruce as Chevalier Chamblay, Dan Gbrayes as the mischievous servant, Kermit C Burns as Count D’Aumont, and Talmadge Talib as Chamillac.
Ben Guillory directs this play at a slow pace but manages to deliver a solid production full of wit and humor. A standout performance by Tiffany Coty-Goines as the Marquise de Prie whose web of intrigue is the drive of the play culminating in the unmasking of Duke de Richelieu.
The realistic set beautifully designed by Joel Daavid is enhanced by the light design of Camille Roberts. The Costumes designed by Naila Aladdin Sanders creates the final touch that transports us to the world of the 18th century.
Musical score includes works by 18th Century Black French composer Joseph Bologne and Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
Photographer: Jermaine Alexander
Production company: The Robey Theatre Company
Playing thru November 9th
Tickets: $40 Senior & Students $25
Thursday thru Saturdays 8pm Sunday 3pm
www.therobeytheatrecompany.org
