“The Philadelphia Story” at the Ivoryton Playhouse sophisticated romance

IVORYTON — Ah, the life of the idle rich. How we love to spy on the trials and travails of those for whom money is no object, but still manage to be unhappy none-the-less.
“The Philadelphia Story,” playing at the Ivoryton Playhouse, was originally written in 1939 by Philip Barry for Katharine Hepburn, and subsequently made into the classic movie in 1940 starring Hepburn, stands up well under the test of time.
Hepburn, a Hartford native, performed at the lovely Ivoryton Playhouse, making this show feel even more at home here.
A wealthy gal, Tracy Lord, played with delightful coltish determinism by Brenda Withers, arms akimbo, is about to marry for a second time. This go-round she’s hooking up with a man of the people, George Kittredge, played by Geoffrey Murphy, who is spiffy — looking and acting like Ralph Bellamy on caffeine.
Kittredge worked his way up through the ranks and sees Lord as his just desserts. She doesn’t quite see it that way, but is remarrying on the rebound after she split with her true match in social circles, intellect, and heart, C.K. Dexter Haven (Christian Pedersen), because of his drinking.
Haven designs and races sail boats and raises polo ponies, so you know from the get-go what set your dealing with.
Tracy’s father, Seth Lord (Bif Carrington III) is having an illicit and rather public affair with a chorus girl, evidently making the whole family fodder for a gossip magazine.
In comes that same magazine’s reporter, the poetic Macaulay Connor, played with sincerity and swagger by Matthew DeCapua, and photographer, Elizabeth Imbrie, played by the swell Caroline Strong, who seems to have stepped right out of a 1940s film.
A pip of a kid sister, Dinah Lord, played by with wide-eyed charm by Jennifer Leigh Cohen, tries her darndest to ruffle things up, despite her mother’s best efforts — the much put upon but remarkably patient Margaret Lord, played by the elegant Donna Schilke.
Tracy’s brother, Sandy, is played by Thomas Layman, and although his part is key to part of the plot, something about his working as an editor somewhere, his voice was so inarticulate and sing-songy, perhaps in an effort to sound upper-class, that I couldn’t understand most of what he said.
The romantic side of the story comes down pretty hard on our poor heroine, Tracy, somehow making her to blame for her former husband’s alcoholism, played with sardonic wit by Pedersen, and is blamed for her father’s philandering — quite a stretch.
They say it’s because Tracy is the “ice goddess” — holding others to the unattainably high standards she lives by — causing the men around her to crumble.
“She needs trouble to mature her,” Haven says, which is probably what we all need.
Tracy, up to the challenge, counters of her marriage to Dexter — “I thought it was for life, but the nice judge gave me a full pardon.”
Of Kittredge, Haven observes, “He’s no great tower of strength, he’s just a tower,” and in one sentence, succeeds in getting us all to not like Kittredge much.
Of course, none of what happens in the course of the two-hour play is of much consequence, really, but it is so witty and entertaining you can’t help but be willingly swept along by the spectacle of it all.
Solidly directed by Jacqueline Hubbard, with well-tailored costumes by Pam Puente, you do feel like your invited to an exclusive club and enjoy basking in the reflected warmth of wealth.
Set designer Tony Andrea immeasurably helps this show along with a gorgeous and well-appointed set that immediately sweeps you back to that romantic big-band era.
In the end it’s the rich and famous who are meant to win our sympathy, not that opportunistic, narrow-minded, self-serving working class.
Thanks to a fine plot, along with some deliciously witty dialog, it all goes down like a cucumber and cream cheese tea sandwich with champagne — Light, satisfying, with just the right amount of sophisticated insight to make you feel right at home with the fashionable set.

PHILADELPHIA STORY

3 Stars
Location: Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT
Production: Written by Philip Barry. Directed by Jacqueline Hubbard. Scenic design by Tony Andrea. Lighting design by Doug Harry. Stage manager Theresa Stark. Costume design by Pam Puente.
Running time: 2 hours plus one 15-minute intermission.
Show Times: Wednesday and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through March 28.
Tickets: $38 for adults, $33 for seniors, $20 for students, and $15 for children 12 and under. Call the box office at 860-767-7318, or visit their website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Brenda Withers … Tracy Lord
Christian Pedersen … C.K. Dexter Haven
Matthew DeCapua … Macaulay (Mike) Connor
Caroline Strong … Elizabeth (Liz) Imbrie
Geoffrey Murphy … George Kittredge
Jennifer Leigh Cohen … Dinah Lord
Donna Schilke … Margaret Lord
Thomas Layman … Alexander (Sandy) Lord
Bif Carrington III … Seth Lord
Norman Rutty … William (Uncle Willy) Tracy
Don Shirer … Thomas