FALLEN ANGELS ON B'wy Stars Rose Byrne/Kelly O'Hara Fluffy Feline Fun

Noel Coward has been a staple on the Great White Way ever since his heyday in the 1920s and 30s.  One of his lesser known plays, "Fallen Angels" premiered in 1925 to shocked audiences who were aghast at women taking lovers and one too many drinks; especially while their spouses are away. The play is getting a jubilant revival on Broadway with two lovely leading ladies; Acad. Award nominee Rose Byrne and multiple Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara.  Both ladies will be competing for a Tony Award this weekend for their ebullient performances in "Fallen Angels."  Coward's plays, including "Fallen Angels" tend to feel dated but that doesn't make them less notable or worth seeing. This delightful production is performed without an intermission as opposed to the original 3-Act production.  The play relies heavily on the performances by its leads: Byrne as Jame Banbury and O'Hara as Julia Steroll; two upper-class, married women and long time friends. The ladies are getting together for dinner in the upscale, art deco apartment of the Stroll's while their frumpy husbands take a golf weekend away.  The stylish gamines know how to dress glamorously for dinner.  They don hats, gloves and smoke cigarettes with long holders.  The women are all up in a frenzy over a letter received by Jane from a former Italian lover of both of them from their single and sordid days. Their stodgy husbands hold no flame and garner little passion from their wives.  Meanwhile, the ladies lasciviously recall their liaison of their youthful days with their former lover as the champagne and canapés are copiously consumed. The drinks and lavish dinner are all served by one maid who is quite the fountain of knowledge and talents played with comedic charm by Tracy Chimo for respites from the ladies' loquacious longings.  As the evening wears on and the gloves come off, the physical comedy becomes abundant.  The rivalry soon sparks rancor and Jane takes off late in the evening while in a huff.  When the couples are reunited the following day at the Stroll's apartment there's recriminations amongst the couples, the ladies and the men (who had a row over golf).  Blistering snipes delivered with British etiquette and droll humor offer a fresh reprieve on Broadway from current dramas or musicals.  When their old paramour finally arrives, played with unctuous charm by Mark Consuelos, it's no wonder the women were all a quiver and willing to send their unattractive spouses up the river. For lovers of physical comedy, Coward's clever way with words and a rollicking good time with exceptionally talented actresses, you can't go wrong with "Fallen Angels." Either damsel is deserving of the Tony as is  the show for being nominated for Best Revival of a play.