Wild Party's Barre Directs Coward Classic at Seattle Rep

Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Noël Coward's classic, Private Lives, directed by Gabriel Barre. Previews begin March 2nd, with opening night set for March 8th.

The cast features Suzanne Bouchard as Amanda, Rob Breckenridge as Elyot, Nikki Cole as Sybyl, Allen Fitzpatrick as Victor, and Lori Larsen as Louise.

In Private Lives, Elyot (Breckenridge) and Sybyl Chase (Cole) and Victor (Fitzpatrick) and Amanda Prynne (Bouchard) are happy newlyweds, each couple beginning a romantic 1920s honeymoon in the south of France/>/> . Cocktails on the terrace lead to confusion in the boudoir, however, when the couples discover they have adjoining suites. The resulting extravagant squabbles are brimming with the wit and elegance that are the hallmarks of the Noël Coward style.

The play was conceived on a trip around the world, and completed in only four days, while Coward was convalescing in the Peace Hotel (then known as the Cathay Hotel) in Shanghai/>/> after a bout of influenza. It was Coward's most enduringly successful work and is generally regarded as the high point/>/> of his career both commercially and artistically. Coward, who also starred in the first production alongside Gertrude Lawrence and Laurence Olivier, wrote the play specifically with Lawrence/>/> in mind. Having been written for Lawrence/>/> , the play has nonetheless fared well throughout its many years of worldwide revival.

Gabriel Barre directed Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party Off-Broadway at the Manhattan Theatre Club, which was nominated for five Outer Critics Circle Awards and 13 Drama Desk Awards (both including Best Director) and for which he won the Calloway Award. Also in New York/>/>, he directed the original production of john & jen starring Carolee Carmello at the Lamb's Theater and Stars in Your Eyes at the Cherry/> Lane/> Theatre/>/> . At the Goodspeed Opera House, he directed the revivals of Sweeney Todd (winner of four Connecticut Critics Circle Awards), and Finian's Rainbow, as well as the new musical, Houdini, which he recently remounted at the Marriott-Lincolnshire Theatre in Chicago. He also directed the original production of Honky-Tonk Highway in New York/>/> at Don't Tell Mama, where it was awarded three Bistro Awards, including one for Best Direction, and the MAC Award for Best Revue. Also in New York/>/> , he did the musical staging as well as performed in the 25th anniversary production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at the Village Gate, which he also directed and choreographed at Syracuse Stage. In 2002 Mr. Barre mounted a national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella starring Eartha Kitt and Deborah Gibson. As an actor, he has been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Starmites.

Born near London/>/> in 1899, Noël Coward made his professional debut as an actor at the age of 11 in a children's play called The Goldfish. Thanks to his mother, Viola, this was not his last encounter with the stage. From a very early age, Coward was writing songs, stories and sketches in collaboration with friends and he experienced a great deal of success in his 20's. At one point he had five works playing simultaneously in London/>/> . Among Coward's most famous works are Private Lives (1930), Cavalclade (1931), Design for Living (1933), Tonight at 8:30/> (1936) and Blithe Spirit (1942). In 1970 he was honored with a knighthood in his native England/>/> and in 1971 he was awarded a Tony for his distinguished achievement in the theater. Noel Coward died March 26, 1973/> at his home, "Firefly," in Jamaica/>/> .

Private Lives runs from March 2nd through April 1st at the Bagley Wright Theatre. For tickets call (206)443-2222, or visit www.seattlerep.org