Triumph of Love
Book by James Magruder
Music by Jeffrey Stock
Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead
Based on the play by Marivaux
Directed by Mickey Handwerger
Musical Direction and Recording by Mark Hildebrand
With Margaret Allman, Wendy Baird, Dean Davis, Mark Farinas, Dan Herrel, Sheri Kuznicki, Jed Wegner
Set Design by Eric Lund
Costumes by Jean Beall
September 22 - 30, 2006

Director's Notes

Over the past several weeks, as we prepared to open this production of Triumph of Love, numerous people have asked me about the play's theme/message and how the play fits into the Dignity Players mission of producing works that present a strong liberal social message and inspire people to social action. With each of our previous productions, the answer to this question was very clear…the theme was the death penalty or women's rights or the issues of hate crimes against gay people. Triumph of Love, however, does not easily fit into one of these categories. This musical farce is based on an old restoration drama by Marivaux and revolves around three seductions and four disguises used to capture the heart of a young prince still learning what it takes to rule a nation. When all is said and done, he learns that governance requires an equal balance of logic, reason, and compassion and that trust, faith, and love in the goodness of people is the mark of a true prince.

There is no doubt that the message in Triumph of Love is veiled in the wit and whimsy of these truly charming and outlandish characters. It is easy to get lost in their follies. The message, however, becomes all the more clear when we relate the lessons learned by this young prince to the lessons still not learned by our world leaders today. In a world like the one Prince Agis lives in, a world of clear black and white, there is no room for trust, faith, and love. And in a world that lacks trust, faith, and love, there is no compassion, no ability to see the innate goodness of people and deeds everywhere. Sadly, the world of Prince Agis mirrors very closely the world we all live in today. It is not difficult to make the comparison between Agis' world and ours when all we hear on the news or from our leaders is that people, religions, and even countries in their entirety are "evil," or that war, torture, and murder are necessary tools in a global fight against terror. In this world, our world, where is the room for faith, for trust, and for compassion?

The musical's message, however, was truly not the primary reason for its selection as a production of Dignity Players. It will most likely not inspire social action and does not have a clear liberal-minded social message that our previous productions have presented. After having presented four very strong dramatic pieces, Triumph of Love lightens the mood and gives everyone permission to laugh and smile. In today's world, a world filled with daily horrors beyond description, everyone needs to be given that opportunity. We so easily get caught up in world regression and personal tragedy that we often forget that there are beautiful things going on in the world…they happen every day right under our noses. Dignity Players is proud to give you the opportunity to set your issues aside for a few hours, to laugh heartily and to perhaps leave here tonight with a somewhat lightened heart and a renewed spirit in the goodness of people everywhere.

REVIEWS
Download Triumph of Love Review

Dignity Players' Latest Production a Real 'Triumph'
By Patricia Hook/The Capital
September 27, 2006

Dignity Players succeeds delightfully with its current production, Triumph of Love, a musical farce inspired by a French Restoration comedy by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux.

It may seem implausible that an American musical could be inspired by a classical play of a few centuries ago, but Dignity Players proves it can be done and done well.

What's more, the production fits into the troupe's mission of producing "theater that inspires and promotes as well as entertains." As Director Mickey Handwerger stresses in his program notes, he wants the audience to "leave with a lightened heart and a renewed spirit in the goodness of people everywhere."

Triumph of Love can be judged as a classic romantic comedy or a corny one, but either way, the talented cast and crew deliver with enthusiastic energy. The seven performers sing with clear, strong voices, backed by a recording provided by Musical Director Mark Hildebrand. In operetta style, the story line advances through song.

The musical tells the story of Princess Leonide, who learns her throne rightfully belongs to Prince Agis, who lives in exile and has been reared to be her enemy. When she seeks the handsome young man in order to right her father's usurpation of his throne, she falls in love with him. Sheri Kuznicki is splendid in the role of the princess who disguises herself as a man to win over her prince and dour guardians. Jud Wegner is dashing as the regal prince.

The two middle-aged keepers of Agis' hatred, the philosopher Hermocrates (played brilliantly by Dan Herrel) and his sister Hesione (a properly prissy Margaret Allman), are all anti-amour, eschewing love until Leonide enters their lives.

Mr. Handwerger directs skillfully, keeping the pacing fast with entrances and exits through the aisles as well as the stage area. He looks to three actors in particular to add comic relief to the show, and they do not disappoint. Wendy Baird is a delight as Corine, maid to the princess; Dean Davis, a very resourceful actor, is cute as the servant Harlequin; and Mark Farinas adds to the merriment as the estate's gardener, Dimas.

"There is no doubt that the message of Triumph of Love is veiled in the wit and whimy of these truly charming and outlandish characters. It is easy to get lost in their follies," Mr. Handwerger explains in his director's notes. He goes on to explain how Prince Agis' world is similar to our own, and how the musical reminds audience-goers of the need for faith, trust and compassion in the world, whether it's Marivaux's 18th century or our own 21st.

Everything works well, from the set design by Eric lund to the costumes by Jean Beall. Triumph of Love shows what can be done with gobs of creativity and imagination.