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THEATER REVIEW 'Madwoman of Chaillot' not so crazy after all Comment By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News French playwright Jean Giraudoux’s play “The Madwoman of Chaillot” was written in 1943 as satire and fantasy, but today could just as easily be news. The premise that greedy tycoons would drill for oil beneath the streets of Paris isn’t so far-fetched in an age when greed is celebrated and fracking routinely sucks fuel from beneath suburbs. Randall Theatre’s production of “Madwoman,” directed by Susan Aversa-Orrego, is a surprisingly timely commentary on key economic and environmental issues of our day. “Madwoman” Countess Aurelia, played by Pam Ward, is a big-hearted eccentric who learns that wealthy business leaders are plotting to dig up the streets of Paris to get to the oil they think is underground. Ward is a strong actress who keeps a fine balance between poignant delusion and all-out wackiness, pivoting easily from annoyance with imaginary pets to a touching reunion with the ghost of a lost love. Her character is crazy like a fox as she organizes a mock trial and hatches a plan to save the city. With the help of the common people of the Chaillot “quartier” and her zany friends, she aims to stop the greedy bigwigs and thus keep Paris beautiful and happy. William Coyne’s transformation from slouchy ragpicker to slick and articulate corporate defendant in the play’s mock trial scene is impressive. Even Donald Trump could not deliver a defense of capitalism with such elegance. Among the large cast, many performers turn in excellent performances, including Rigo Jimenez as the goofy sewerman, Stephanie Jones as the sweet Irma, V. Simone Stewart as the adorably nutty Mademoiselle Gabrielle, and others too numerous to mention. The functional set effectively evokes a Paris café and Aurelia’s cellar, and manages to comfortably contain 22 actors and a three-piece band, no small feat in the cozy theater. The absurd aspects of the script are often quite funny, including some standout moments during the gathering between Aurelia and three other wacky madwomen, played by Becky Durango, Stewart and Ann Haynes all dressed in over-the-top 1950s dresses and gloves. Their nutty, witty and utterly nonsensical tea party is a highlight of the show. However, the talky script is also a weakness for the production. Absurd dialogue is necessarily shallow and can get tiresome, especially for audiences used to fleshed-out characters and plot-driven stories. At more than two-and-half hours, the play drags at times, a discomfort exacerbated by air-conditioning that struggles on hot nights. Despite its slow moments, “Madwoman” is a happy story where the good guys triumph, a young couple falls in love, and the bad guys get what’s coming to them. The cast and crew earn strong kudos for their hard work on this production, and a truly community-based theater like the Randall deserves a wide, supportive audience. Shows are set for 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 2-3, and Wednesday through Saturday, July 8-11. Matinees are set for 1 p.m. Sundays, June 28, and July 5 and 12. Reserved seating costs $15. Pay-what-you-want tickets are available 30 minutes before shows. Tickets and information are available at www.RandallTheatre.com or by calling 541-632-3258. The Randall Theatre is located at 10 Third St. (corner of Front and Third) in Medford. Angela Decker is a freelance writer in Ashland and can be reached at [email protected] By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Angela Decker for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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