Everything That Happens is Chance

Private Lives

English playwright Noel Coward is best known for his finely fabricated craftsmanship. Coward’s sparkling, witty dialogue, his eccentric and memorable characters and his biting satire of the upper class elite is a pure delight. In this delicious theatrical confection, particularly as directed by Jeffrey Cass, the Artistic Director of BrightSide Theatre, PRIVATE LIVES is an elegant, delightfully droll and very sophisticated comedy. The story focuses on Elyot and Amanda, a divorced couple, who unexpectedly meet again in the south of France. The problem is that they’re each with their new spouses and on their honeymoons. Upon surprisingly confronting each other in the adjoining balconies of their hotel,  Elyot and Amanda discover that they are still in love with each other. So naturally they do what anyone would do in this situation: they abandon their new partners and run off together to Paris.

Written in 1930, PRIVATE LIVES is one of Coward’s finest comedies. The play explores such themes as love, passion and the often selfish and volatile nature of a romantic relationship. The playwright also showcases the kind of chemical connection that he observed often exists between two people. In PRIVATE LIVES, however, their passion quickly fizzles away, and Elyot and Amanda devolve into a bickering and brawling twosome engaged in a battle royal. The play’s title comes from something that Amanda says about themselves. “I think very few people are completely normal, really…deep down in their private lives.” And Noel Coward also indicates that the romance that’s rekindled in the play is because of the fickle finger of fate. As Amanda says, “It was chance falling in love; it’s chance that we’re here, particularly after your driving. Everything that happens is chance.” 

But chance has no bearing on this polished, peerless and perfectly professional production. There’s a plan and a purpose behind every delirious moment of this show. Each of the five talented actors in the cast, with their brilliant comic timing, layered character portrayal, fast line delivery and breakneck pacing, are enriched by a stylish and beautifully adaptable scenic design (also created by Mr. Cass), gorgeous period costumes by Cheryl Newman—in fact, the very choice of this play is considered and calculated. Mr. Cass has selected this comedy, purely “For the Fun of It,” which happens to be the theme of BrightSide’s entire 2025-2026 season. Indeed, everything about this production is fun.

Two veterans of BrightSide Theatre productions lead the quintet of gifted actors. Handsome Jon Cunningham (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, SHE LOVES ME, both at BrightSide) is impeccable as Elyot Chase. He handles the sophisticated humor with ease, while perfectly radiating Elyot’s snobby self-entitlement and elitist attitude. After all, the character was created by Noel Coward for himself and to reflect his own alter ego. Being a talented musical theatre actor, Jon does a lovely job with Coward’s iconic melancholy and romantic theme song, “Someday I’ll Find You,” which the playwright composed especially for this play,

Beautiful Jamie Marie DePaolo (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, CITY OF ANGELS, at BrightSide) is truly a contemporary embodiment of actress, Gertrude Lawrence, who originated the role of Amanda Prynne opposite Coward. Ms. DePaolo has proven to be a versatile actress and, as Amanda, she absolutely drips with sophistication and selfishness. Jamie portrays Amanda as a woman ruled entirely by her emotions and guided by her whims. She’s as impulsive with her feelings as she is in her choice of cocktails. But when the quarreling begins, there’s no holds barred between these two terrific actors. All I can say is, when the fruit starts flying—duck and take cover!

Matt Hellyer (CLUE, at the Albright; THE GAME’S AFOOT, at Elgin Theatre Company) makes his beguiling BrightSide debut as Victor Prynne. This good-looking young actor plays Victor as a perfect prig. As Amanda’s new husband, he becomes putty in her well-manicured hands. This talented young actor delivers as a proud representative of the more conventional and less exciting world of the complacent. And lovely Emily Sherman (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, at BrightSide; PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, with Inkwell Arts) returns to portray Sibyl Chase, Elyot’s blushing new bride. Ms. Sherman creates a terrifying twit of a young woman, who, at the drop of a hat, is given to hilarious histrionics and hysteria. Together these two wonderful performers portray birds of a feather in Noel Coward’s aviary of amusement. And, definitely not to be overlooked, brilliant Bev Coscarelli (MOON OVER BUFFALO, at BrightSide) takes a cameo role and almost steals the show. Bev’s delightful portrayal of Louise, the venerable French housekeeper of Amanda’s apartment, becomes a comical croissant of hilarity.

This play, written in 1930, still brims with Cowardy comedy. Hats off to Jeffrey Cass’ tight and inspired direction. He’s guided his cast to create characters that are strong, honest and urbane. Mr. Cass spotlights the playwright’s superbly-written language, always bubbling and fizzing like a bottle of champagne. And, because of this, audience leaves the theatre inebriated with laughter

In addition to great musicals and exciting children’s shows, this is the kind of play that BrightSide Theatre does best. PRIVATE LIVES will be remembered as one of the theatre’s finest British comedies that they’ve presented over their fifteen seasons. And given the theatre’s track record for delivering polished, very funny, superbly performed and professionally produced farces, we have to argue with what Amanda says in this play. Not everything that happens is chance—BrightSide Theatre proves, again and again, that with the right blend of talent, creativity and a great script by a comic genius, hilarity will definitely ensue.    

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 10-29 by by BrightSide Theatre, performed at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-447-8497 or by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos courtesy of CM Stage Photography