An Ideal Husband

Walnut Street Theatre, located at 825 Walnut Street, is producing Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband through March 3 on its mainstage. Although the action takes place over a 36 hour period of time, the play is written in four acts. The scene change between the first and second act is done with house lights on and curtain up. Watching the modification can only be compared to seeing an additional act in itself albeit without dialogue.  At its finish, on opening night, the extraordinary transformation from one room to another commanded applause from the audience. Of course WST has a wonderful stage for set design because of its depth, but Scenic Designer Robert Andrew Kovach designed a Barrymore worthy set. If the Barrymores were still to be awarded, the entire Design staff of this production would be worthy. Costume Designer Colleen Grady’s 19^th century aristocratic dress sets an authentic tone as soon as the curtain rises. Lighting Designer Shelly Hicklin and Sound Designer Christopher Colucci also present award-worthy efforts to this production. The 12 member ensemble cast keeps the audience in stitches with a plot that is more serpentine than a mountain road; every time you come around the bend there is a new twist. The ideal husband is less than ideal; the ne’er-do-well does very well when least expected.   Skeletons pop out of closets at inopportune moments, sometimes even when they belong in the closet of someone else. The superb set, outstanding writing and fabulous acting all combine to present a marvelous show.  For tickets or further information call 215-574-3550 or 800 982-2787 or visit online at www.walnutstreettheatre.org.