Cornbury, The Queen’s Governor: Political drag race
Oscar E Moore from the rear mezzanine for Talk Entertainment.com
“Isn’t it queer?” remarks Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury, third English Royal Governor of New York and New Jersey (1702-1708) and cousin to England’s Queen Anne as he writes a note with his feathered quill all aglow with golden sparkles in the ambitious, lavish and yes, outrageous ode to historical facts as seen through the eyes of playwrights William M. Hoffman and Anthony Holland in their comedy – CORNBURY, The Queen’s Governor which has just opened at the Hudson Guild Theatre – 441 West 26th Street through February 8th and starring David Greenspan and Everett Quinton who spent many a night in drag with Charles Ludlam in the revered productions of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company.
As Lord Cornbury, who was rumored to dress up in women’s finery and loot the treasury to pay for his frocks, David Greenspan gives an expansive, exuberant, extravagant and totally human portrayal of the man who lived his life openly and without any regrets. A man who befriended Jews, Indians, Blacks and the latest fashions. Dismissed by history as being a vain buffoon you will be constantly amazed by his fascinating story and by Mr. Greenspan’s what is to become a celebrated performance of controlled flamboyance. Told that the treasury is empty, he retorts, “Sell Staten Island.”
According to program notes a portrait of “a strange looking colonial dame with five o’clock shadow” hangs in the New York Historical Society. It is supposedly of Lord Cornbury. “Our comedy is a fantasy based on facts, while trying to stay true to the spirit of the period.” Theatre Askew, has done a first rate job in bringing this story to vivid life.
With its varied characters and locations. With actors pulling up the painted drops and setting divans in place. With singing. Gavotting. Dueling. A shooting. Lots of high drama, high comedy and high camp. All acted in the style of the period, aptly directed by Tim Cusack who keeps his company on their toes and into the spirit of the piece. It is very funny. And touching at the same time.
The cast is excellent. As Cornbury’s French Catholic wife, Marie – who has sticky fingers, pilfering pots and pans and attaching them under her skirts and tolerating his lifestyle while bearing him six children, Julia Campanelli is wonderful, accent and all – especially when they are incarcerated in Act II. Ken Kliban as his Jewish advisor Spinoza Dacosta, Bianca Leigh as Margareta de Peyster, a pistol toting Dutch lady who wants to be governor herself and trying to destroy Cornbury in the process, the handsome Christian Pedersen as Rip Van Dam who comes to side with Cornbury despite his father’s hatred for the man – Pastor Cornelius Van Dam and Jenne Vath as Rip’s intended Anna Marie - are all superb. Mr. Quinton as Pastor Van Dam gets to chew up most of the painted drops and then some. As Africa, a slave and former African Princess, Ashley Bryant shines with her flair for dead pan comedy, singing and charming her way through the proceedings. Eric Sherr impresses in three roles – especially as a foppish English nobleman.
If the play is a bit long and goes off on some tangents giving actors their time in the spotlight all is forgiven as the total experience is so gratifying. Please go. Lord Cornbury might have had a few eccentricities but his heart was in the right place. You will have a gay old time. To quote from Theatre Askew’s provocative poster “Who says history is a drag?” TICKETS $18.00 212 352 3101
www.theatreaskew.com www.cornburytheplay.com
photo: Gustavo Monroy
please visit my blog www.oscaremoore.com
01-29-09
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