WITNESSING WILDE’S WONDERFUL
WIT IS ALWAYS WELCOME

Storm Theatre delivers elegance
and precision, if not always sparkle

Lurking under the characters’ control, courtesies and curtseys, calculated comments, formal wear and formalities, etiquette, etc., are their real feelings and fears that forced smiles with gritted teeth and British stiff-upper-lip mask. Mocking manners and marriage in the upper classes, legendary playwright Oscar Wilde had his targets in view, and the plot of his An Ideal Husband (first staged in 1895) was the ideal project for the arrows in his arsenal.

Heather Olson and Carl PasbjergChase Bishop and Heather Olson

The play is presented with attentive precision and elegance by Storm Theatre in the small venue at A.R.T./New York Theatres. The action takes place in the long rectangular area of the floor, with doorways and more ways to create a comfy home’s sitting room with matched furniture and a desk. In the four-act comedy with dramatic moments, Daniel Prosky‘s set serves as different characters’ homes with minimal actual changes. Audience members are seated close to the perimeter, in rising rows facing the stage (and each other) along two sides. It suggests a feeling of eavesdropping, especially when secrets and confidences are revealed in the storyline—and that works to an advantage.

Evangelia KingsleyMadelyn Monaghan, David Bodenschatz, Carl Pasbjerg

Directed at a leisurely (but not glacial) pace by Peter Dobbins, the production is smart and well-cast, even if one might wish for more personal pizzazz, distinctive quirkiness, or zing in some cases. But the actors seem as comfortable in their characterizations as they are in their period costumes designed by Sandrina Sparagna. All the pomp and politeness, poise and posturing, as folks in high society socialize, addressing each other grandly as “my dear so-and-so” (even if they seem to have known each other forever and a fortnight). The lords and ladies, sirs and madames among titled and entitled people in their stiff collars, silks and ruffles are not always unruffled. The more banal banter, filled with needed niceties, might seem to eat up a lot of time, and some slower passages are big on small talk (character-appropriate) without eschewing further ado.

Jed Peterson and Madelyn Monaghan

Is central character Sir Robert Chiltern (Jed Peterson) an “ideal husband”? His wife, Gertrude (Madelyn Monaghan), thought so—but his ethics were not always ideal. The plot hinges on the scandalous possible revelation that his wealth and success in his high-profile government career came at a cost (literally, as in a payoff). Oh, “bribery” is such an ugly word! One bribe leads to another. Central to the story is that devious Mrs. Cheveley (the on-target Connie Castanzo) knows his uncomfortable truth, has proof, and is ready to expose him unless he does her bidding. The plot thickens.

Ed Prostak

Points of view about male marriage mates, spoken by various characters, include this amusing reflection that employs the titular adjective: “We have married perfect husbands and are punished for it.” Then there’s this observation about other folks in the city: “People are either hunting for husbands, or hiding from them.” And note this remark, delivered seriously and scolding, with its implication that being wed isn’t synonymous with joy: “It is your duty to get married. You can’t be always living for pleasure.” It’s delivered by a father to his son who’s still single. An especially successful element of the direction and cast interaction is the prickly relationship between this parent, the Earl of Caversham, played by Carl Pasbjerg, and his unmarried son, Lord Goring, played by Chase Bishop. (Fun fact: In the original production, 131 years ago, the actor portraying the father also had the last name Bishop.)

Chase Bishop and Carl Pasbjerg

Also in the cast, effectively adding spice, style, and plot twists, are Evangelia Kingsley sweeping in as the grande dame Lady Markby, Heather Olson as Lord Goring’s love interest (Mabel), plus two actors as long-suffering servants: Edward Prostak and David Bodenschatz.

This classic drawing room comedy is deservedly drawing attention, drawing a crowd, and drawing cheers.

Jed Peterson and Evangelia Kingsley

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photos by Michael Abrams

An Ideal Husband
Storm Theatre Company
The Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre
A.R.T./New York Theatres, 502 West 53rd St.
ends on February 21, 2026
Wed-Sat at 7:30; Sat and Sun at 2

for tickets ($30), visit Storm Theatre

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Chase Bishop and Heather Olson