By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com
photo by Tim Fuller
Though they are divorced, Amanda (Sarita Ocon) and Elyot (Hugo E. Carbajal) meet again and instantly know those deep feelings are already rising.
No longer set on a quartet of classy Brits taking their Second Honeymoons in 1930s Paris, Noel Coward's classic comedy of manners “Private Lives” has been given a vigorous shaking in Arizona Theatre Company's vibrant production directed by KJ Sanchez.
The play still begins in the 1930s, but now we are in Buenos Aires, where the Argentine tango enjoys full flower and the love/hate agonies of Elyot Chase (Hugo E. Carbajal) and Amanda Prynne (Sarita Ocon) are filled with a deeply rooted passion that Coward's prim British pairs could only admire from afar.
The second couple, Sibyl (Briana J. Resa) and Victor (Brady Morales-Woolery), are necessarily a bit more reserved but they still have that same quality of fluid movement and determination.
To pause for a moment, in 2017 Carbajal and Ocon also appeared together in ATC's wonderfully mystical South American play “The River Bride” by Marisela Orta, one of ATC's best productions in this century.
Acts two and three of “Private Lives” leap into a stylishly modern living room setting in present-day Uruguay. None of Coward's dialogue is site-specific, so the playwright's brilliant give-and-take hasn't been changed a whit.
Sanchez has further fleshed out the Latin feel of her production by changing the dance scenes and music to tango moves and rhythms. Once again, this change adds more tension and passion to the play's tightly wrung emotions.
Psychologists have long maintained the combination of amore and anger creates the strongest bond. Coward is firmly in their corner. The actors don't waste a moment making us believe it one more time.
Chronologically, Elyot and Amanda loved, fought and divorced in the 1920s. In 1930 Elyot married Sibyl and Amanda married Victor. As Fate would have it, both couples happened to book parallel honeymoon suites and terraces in a luxurious hotel. Though it has been five years since Elyot and Amanda laid eyes on each other, the steeping coals of their romance ignites anew.
But now, instead of the old crisply clever upper crust, Carbajal gives Elyote a muscular animal physicality with a quick pounce in his step. His brow may be furrowed but there is grace in his desire.
Ocon is delighted to respond with full frontal female force. Alive with passion and steaming with anger, she becomes the unconquered opponent yet seductively available Amanda, driving Elyot mad and madder.
As ringmaster of this high-rolling tet-a-tet, Sanchez keeps the triumphs and conflicts forever on edge, never letting one side topple the other.
As a watchful member of the audience you could keep score in your seat, but really, having a winner means the battle would be over – and what fun is that?
“Private Lives” runs through May 6, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, plus 2 p.m. matinees Saturdays and Sundays at the downtown Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Tickets are $25-$85. For details and reservations, atc.org or phone 833-ATC-SEAT.
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