(Cover Photo: The CAST of "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Liza Voll)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724

"Let's take a walk and discuss these inclinations."

                  - ("Corine") / Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux

Huntington Theatre Company

Presents 

Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux's

"THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE"

Written by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux

Translated by Stephen Wadsworth

Directed by Loretta Greco 

Cast Includes: Allison Altman as “Léonide,” Avanthika Srinivasan as “Corine,” Vincent Randazzo as “Harlequin,” Patrick Kerr as “Dimas,” Rob Kellogg as “Agis,” Marianna Bassham as “Léontine,” Nael Nacer as “Hermocrate.”

Understudies: Morgan Ford, Joanna Strapp, Nick Sulfaro, Lewis D. Wheeler.

Additional Creative Team:

Scenic and Costume Design - Junghyun Georgia Lee; Lighting Design - Christopher Akerlind; Sound Design and Original Music - Fan Zhang; Hair, Wig and Makeup Design - Tom Watson; Assistant Director - Lydia Cochran; Dramaturg - Charles Haugland; Commedia Dell’arte Consultant - Judith Chaffee; Fight and Intimacy Coordinator - Jesse Hinson; Voice and Text Coach - Lee Nishri-Howitt; Production Stage Manager - Deirdre Benson; Stage Manager - Ashley Pitchford; Casting - Janet Foster.

THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA.

Performances:

March 7, 2025 through April 6, 2025 

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times) 

TICKETS:

Available online at huntingtontheatre.org, by phone at 617-266-0800 or in person at THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston. 

BUY TICKETS

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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)

Huntington Theatre Company brings the funny to a in their latest offering, "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" (Original French title: “LE TRIOMPHE DE L'AMOUR”). 

Written by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" is a French farce with this particular adaptation coming from author and translator Stephen Wadsworth. 

The Huntington production of the approach taken by the Wadsworth adaptation has been cleverly staged by director Loretta Greco focusing squarely on the antics of its characters as portrayed by this exceptionally funny cast.  

"THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" was first performed in Paris in 1732 and was not well received, closing after a mere six performances. 

After nearly two centuries, the play would eventually be re-discovered and revived for the stage (first in 1912 and later in 1956), ultimately becoming so popular it has since been staged around the world and admired for its outlandish humor and eccentric characters. 

With its newfound audience, "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" would eventually be adapted into both a Broadway musical in 1997 and a movie in 2001. 

In the latest staging of the play, presented in two acts by Huntington Theatre Company, the story's central character Princess Léonide (Allison Altman) has arrived in disguise to the garden of a noted philosopher, Hermocrate (Nael Nacer). 

All of the scenes in "TRIUMPH" take place in this one setting as does much of the mayhem that ensues involving deception, duplicity and misunderstanding. 

Altman gives a bravura performance as the exceptionally clever Léonide who has fallen in love, from afar, and has arrived to try and win the hand of the elder Hermocrate’s young charge, Agis (Rob Kellogg). 

(Photo: Marianna Bassham as “Léontine” is "wooed" by Allison Altman as “Léonide” with Vincent Randazzo as “Harlequin” observing in a scene from "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Liza Voll)

There is a lot - and I mean a LOT - of exposition conveyed in the first ten minutes of "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" - So, it is highly recommended one pays attention from the outset.

Agis is unaware that he is, in reality, the son of the late Cléomènes, King of Sparta, who was ousted by Léonide's uncle in revenge for Cléomènes' kidnapping of his mistress, making Agis the legitimate prince of the realm over which Princess Léonide rules. 

Agis considers Princess Léonide his sworn enemy when, in fact, quite the opposite is true - and Léonide has devised an absurdly devious plan to prove all of this to Agis. 

Hermocrate is adamantly opposed to women on the property, with the sole exception being his sister, Léontine (Marianna Bassham). 

Therefore, Princess Léonide has concealed her identity, posing in the disguise of a man, calling herself “Phocion.” 

Aiding Léonide in her elaborate scheme is her devoted servant Corine (Avanthika Srinivasan), the property gardener, Dimas (Patrick Kerr) and, for some reason, an “on-the-property masked jester” by the name of “Harlequin” (Vincent Randazzo). 

With their assistance and alternating between Phocion and as a woman (although not revealing her true identity), Léonide proceeds to “woo” everyone on the property.

(Photo: Vincent Randazzo as “Harlequin” watches Avanthika Srinivasan as “Corine” in a scene from "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Liza Voll)

Now, to be clear, one must suspend disbelief for much of the preposterous scheme as it unfolds as it would require a high degree of dimness by those being duped by the Princess and her accomplices. 

However, any perceived dimness soon gives way to a kind of prevailing affection for all of those impacted characters in the story.     

"TRIUMPH" is played purely for laughs and every character is a pleasure to watch, including Nacer as Hermocrate who immediately sees through Léonide’s “manly” disguise. 

For anyone else buying into the disguised women as men, one can only assume that glaucoma and cataracts were serious health concerns during this time period. 

However, Léonide convinces Hermocrate that she has fallen in love with him and vows not to leave until Hermocrate allows her sufficient time to prove herself worthy of his love in return. 

Of course, what this really does is buy her time to pursue her own true love, Agis, as she is convinced that, as soon as she engages with Agis, she will first win him over as a friend, then later as the woman who truly adores him. 

(Photo: Rob Kellogg as “Agis” sits with Nael Nacer as “Hermocrate” in a scene from "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Liza Voll)

Similarly, as Phocion, Léonide meets up with Léontine, delightfully played by Bassham, and woos her so she will advocate to Hermocrate to let Phocion stay on the property. 

As Agis, Kellogg is perhaps given the least material to work with as the object of Princess Léonide’s affections but uses many scripted moments to react well to some of the craziness as it unfolds, yielding some of the play’s unexpected funniest results. 

Similar to Kellogg, much of the hilarity in "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" is brilliantly parlayed by (and without a doubt this show would not be as funny as it is without) the various exchanges between Srinivasan, Kerr and Randazzo.  

Also, there are many asides to the audience by each of the characters that adds to the wit and prevailing charm of "TRIUMPH."

(Photo: Patrick Kerr as “Dimas” stands with Vincent Randazzo as “Harlequin” in a scene from "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Liza Voll)

Just a reminder that this story was written in 1732 - but much of it still holds up even with its rather silly and simplistic premise. 

And yet, today, if "TRIUMPH" were taking place as a 21^st Century Lifetime movie, rather than being played for farce, the obsessive Léonide would most likely be that new secretly homicidal babysitter for an elite family and all her accomplices and most of the family would wind up meeting tragic ends. 

Fortunately for us, here it is all played in good fun for which we simply enjoy every single moment. 

In the end, though, it is absolutely Altman’s performance in "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" that keeps us involved from curtain up and keeps us rooting for this crazy conspiracy as crafted by Léonide to succeed. 

(Photo: The CAST of "THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" by Pierre Carlet de Chamblain de Marivaux, presented by Huntington Theatre Company, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA. through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Liza Voll)

While the show occasionally feels a bit “small” for the massive Huntington stage, the simple yet elegant set of the garden is breathtaking. 

The overall color scheme used both on stage and in background projections is sheer perfection as are the varied costumes, varied wigs and hair stylings.

"THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE" continues at Huntington Theatre Company at the 264 Huntington Avenue location in Boston, MA. until April 6, 2025 and this production is indeed a triumph.

Up next at Huntington Theatre Company will be "DON'T EAT THE MANGOS" by Ricardo Pérez González beginning March 26, 2025 presented at the Calderwood/Wimberly Theatre, 527 Tremont Street location in Boston.  

For tickets and more information, contact Huntington Theatre Company online at huntingtontheatre.org, by phone at # 617-266-0800 or in person at THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE, 264 Huntington Avenue, Boston. 

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Approximately two hours, 30 minutes including intermission

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews 

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

Love takes center stage in this uproarious classic French comedy by 18th century playwright Pierre Carlet de Marivaux. 

A clever princess is smitten at first sight – but to win her prince, she must woo him in disguise. 

Mistaken identities, hilarious complications and deeply felt desire collide head on with Rationalist Philosophy – and surprising romantic entanglements ensue! 

Artistic Director Loretta Greco stages Stephen Wadsworth’s magnificent adaptation which inspired a passion for Marivaux in America anew.

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ABOUT THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY

THE HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY is Boston’s leading professional theatre and one of the region’s premier cultural assets since its founding in 1982. Recipient of the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award, THE HUNTINGTON brings together superb local and national talent and produces a mix of groundbreaking new works and classics made current to create award-winning productions. THE HUNTINGTON runs nationally renowned programs in education and new play development and serves the local theatre community through its operation of the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. THE HUNTINGTON has long been an anchor cultural institution of Huntington Avenue, the Avenue of the Arts, and will remain so on a permanent basis with plans to convert the Huntington Avenue Theatre into a first-rate, modern venue with expanded services to audiences, artists, and the community. THE HUNTINGTON cultivates, celebrates, and champions theatre as an art form. 

huntingtontheatre.org