Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

Court Theatre
5535 S. Ellis Ave, Chicago
Tickets 773-753-4472
Running in repertory with Fair Ladies at a Game of Poem Cards
Through May 25

In The Learned Ladies, Moliere sets you up to loathe several of the characters, but in typical Moliere style, everyone gets what they deserve. Except for one character. And that's unfortunate. But the problem in this case isn't the writing or the translation. The problem lies in the interpretation. The Court Theatre has once again put its distinguishable stamp on a play, this time at the very end. And this time it does not work.

Written in 1692, The Learned Ladies is the story of the residents of the house of Chrysale (John Reeger), whose daughter Henriette (Jen Dede) is in love with Clitandre (David Baca). Chrysale's wife Philaminte (Hollis Resnick) and her sister-in-law Belise (Carey Peters) are running a school of sorts, studying language and literature, their only student being Chrysale's other daughter Armande (Arie Thompson). Even though Armande is turning down the pretentious road to "knowledge" that Philaminte is preaching, she too is in love with Clitandre. Clitandre, however, only has eyes for Henriette. Meanwhile, Philaminte is angling for a marriage between Henriette and Trissotin (Kurt Brocker), a pompous young wit.

Director Charles Newell, usually at the top of his game with a classic comedy like this, makes a bizarre choice at the end of the play that lets almost all the wind out of what was previously a highly enjoyable, well-paced production.

The Learned Ladies is worth seeing though, because of its host of odd characters and very fine acting. John Reeger turns in a top-notch understated performance as Chrysale, a man who has been so completely dominated by his wife, he has lost all of his energy to fight back. Kurt Brocker, as Trissotin, struts and frets comically as a writer who can't write. The always-dependable Guy Adkins gives a brilliant performance in the cameo role of Vadius, a consumptive poet who has probably the funniest exit I've ever seen. And Carey Peters is wonderful as the insanely unrealistic Belise, a woman who is so unable to believe that no one is in love with her that she thinks everyone is.