American Players Theatre revels in 'Fallen Angels'

Mel Hammond, Isthmus

On a muggy summer night in Wisconsin, there’s nothing more refreshing than sitting down for a show at American Players Theatre (APT) in Spring Green, beverage in hand. And if you’re in the mood for a laugh, Fallen Angels is an excellent choice.

Fallen Angels is a farcical comedy written by Noel Coward in 1925 about two best friends, Julia (Phoebe González) and Jane (Laura Rook), who learn that their years-ago lover (whom they both dated at different times) will soon pay them a visit. Settled down in London now and mourning the fading passion in their respective marriages, the two women fantasize about reconnecting with the suave Frenchman, Maurice Duclos (Ronald Román-Meléndez) and agonize over whether they’ll be able to resist his charms. (And do they even want to resist his charms?) What will happen if word gets out that Julia and Jane dared to fall in love (gasp) and even have sex (double gasp) before meeting their husbands? An exchange from act one sums up the back-and-forth nicely: “It seems so unfair that men should have the monopoly on wild oats,” Julie laments. Jane replies, “They haven’t really, but it’s our job to make them think they have.”

The maid, Saunders (Colleen Madden), provides an extra layer of comic relief to an already hilarious story by whipping out niche knowledge of golf and piano playing, breaking into dances with an oversized feather duster, and charming the audience with her Irish accent. She adds fuel to the drama between Julia and Jane by continuing to serve them martinis and champagne on empty stomachs. “If you’ll allow me to say so, Madam,” Saunders tells Jane, “several drinks never did any harm — it’s only the first drink which is dangerous. After that the damage is done.”

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