In association with Hartford Stage, the McCarter Theatre center is now presenting a stage adaptation by Douglas McGrath of Edith Wharton’s classic novel, The Age of Innocence.

 

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was born into wealth and moved through the upper echelons of society which she scathingly attacked in her 1921 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Age of Innocence. Edith Wharton wrote the classics Ethan Frome and The House of Mirth among the forty books she wrote over forty years on topics as diverse as her passions for architecture, gardens, love, society, and travel.

 

The Age of Innocence at the McCarter features Joseph Adams, Sierra Boggess, Helen Cespedes, Boyd Gaines, Darrie Lawrence, Dierdre Madigan, Haviland Morris, Josh Salt, Andrew Veenstra, and Tony Ward as major characters. The McCarter has wisely decided to present the play in its intimate Berlind Theatre. The Age of Innocence is a must-see experience for everyone who values the living theatre. It is a winner on every count, be it acting, breathtaking scenic design by John Lee Beatty, beautiful costumes by Linda Cho, perfect lighting decisions by Ben Stanton, original music and sound design by Mark Bennett, wigs and hair by Charles G. LaPointe, and choreography by Peter Pucci, all under superstar director Doug Hughes. The McCarter has assembled the best and brightest talents from Broadway and the theatre world in general for this production of The Age of Innocence, and it is a great 100 minutes of theatre.

 

Sierra Boggess, best known for her Broadway and London musical successes is luxury casting indeed as the notorious Countess Ellen Olenska. She sings one song in the play. Otherwise, she delivers a grand and heartfelt performance as a woman who tries but fails to live an independent life in New York Society of the 1870s. It is a pleasure to once again have theatre veteran Boyd Gaines onstage as The Old Gentleman, who is also the older Newland Archer. Andrew Veenstra is the young Newland Archer, who unexpectedly (and rapidly) falls into hopeless love with Countess Olenska while engaged to the seemingly innocent and one-dimensional socialite May Welland, played with understatement and conviction by Helen Cespedes. The many others in the large cast are uniformly fine.

 

Pianist Yan Li offers musical accompaniment which highlights actions taking place in the play.

 

Director/Artistic Director/ Resident Playwright Emily Mann, along with Managing Director Michael S. Rosenberg, have once again provided us with a miracle onstage. The Age of Innocence is a rare theatrical gem which should be seen by everyone who loves live theatre.

 

The Age of Innocence will be at the Berlind Theatre at the McCarter Theatre Center until October 7. For further information about it and the entire season of presentations at the McCarter, visit www.mccarter.org . Pride Night for The Age of Innocence was September 20. If you are unaware of this special LGBT+ evening held on one Thursday for every theatrical production of the season, you owe it to yourself to attend. The next one will be October 18.