Hilarion’s father, the hilarious King Hildebrand (featuring a terrific performance by Joe H. Zilvinskis), is not amused by Ida’s spurning of his son. Thus he tells Ida’s father (the politely rude King Gama played by Joseph Grienenberger) that if Ida doesn’t marry his son, King Gama will be hanged “most politely.” Meanwhile, Hilarion and his two best friends Florian and Cyril disguise themselves as women and hop over the university wall where Hilarion hopes to woo his wife and the other two hope to find young co-eds desperate for men.

Director Leon Natker has put together an exemplary show in all facets of production from the professional sets by J. Sherwood Montgomery, gorgeous costumes by Pam Stompoly that look marvelous on an individual basis and even better together, a stellar orchestra that Natker also conducts, amusing choreography, and a polished ensemble strong in both voice and comedy.

Kathleen Halm shines in the title role as a pillar of feminine strength with a divine voice while maintaining some lightness for comedy. Her unwanted husband Hilarion trying to win her over is played by Chad Frisque who, despite putting on a dress, is sort of the straight man to his amusing cohorts Joe Pechota and John Christian Edward whose exaggerated womanly wiles were especially on. On Ida’s side are her three laughably doltish brothers performed by Christopher Remmel, James Rouse, and Christopher Stevens whose We Are Warriors Three and This Helmet, I Suppose are a couple of the comedic highlights of the evening. Taken with their father, they make it even more clear why Ida is not overly impressed with the opposite sex. Whether she can keep her “Daughters of the Plough” students and her fellow professors (delightfully played by Susan E. V. Boland and Sandra Camarena) in agreement, not to mention herself, remains to be seen.

Production runs through November 21, 2004.

Rob Hopper
San Diego Playbill