'Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical' brings prep-school sensuality to the Chopin
What more can be said: Kokandy Productions' Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical brings pop-anthems, prep-school sex and pure, unfettered nostalgia to Wicker Park.
Based on the beloved cult film by Roger Kumble, Cruel Intentions tells the story of hot but villainous step-siblings, Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteruil, as they rule the school at Manchester Prep on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. A sort-of Gossip Girlbefore Gossip Girl, Sebastian and Kathryn's relationship freely flows between incest, friendship and obsession, peaking in a lascivious bet between the two of them, but involving everyone in the cast.
Having been dumped by star athlete Court Reynolds, Kathryn (Maddison Denault) is desperate to get back at him through his new crush, Cecile Caldwell (Anabella Oddo). Cecile is new to Manchester Prep and has been placed in the proverbial care of Kathryn by her mother, Mrs. Caldwell. Rather than looking after her like a big sister, Kathryn throws Cecile to the wolves by asking Sebastian (David Moreland) to seduce her in an effort to make Court jealous.
Sebastian, however, has his eyes set on Annette Hardgrove (played by Kelcy Taylor), daughter of Manchester Prep’s incoming headmistress and vocal believer of chastity before marriage. The bet: if Sebastian fails to seduce Annette, Kathryn gets to keep his Jaguar. If he is successful, Kathryn has to have sex with him, a proposition the two seem all-too excited about.
Cruel Intentions was originally put on at Le Poisson Rouge, a nightclub in Greenwich Village, and the Chopin Theatre nicely mirrors that ambience from the minute you take your seat: intimate, dimly-lit, bar-serviced. What ensues is an bubblegum (and, indeed, very Nineties) jukebox exploration of sexual identity, featuring songs like “Torn” by Natalie Umbruglia, “Breakfast at Tiffany's” by Deep Blue Something and “Genie in a Bottle” by Christian Aguilera.
Directed by Artistic Associate Adrian Abel Aevedo, the production boasts genuinely tender musical moments, particularly among the men. A highlight of the night was David Moreland’s powerful, but tender tenor as Sebastian as well as the same-sex duet of “Kiss Me” between Blaine (Josh Pablo Szabo) and Greg (Jimmy Romano).
While the songs being sung were clearly familiar to those in attendance, Kokandy’s deliberate preference for non-Equity actors gives audiences the unique opportunity to see performers who may be lacking a larger platform in the city. This feeling of stand-out underground talent was apparent on the production team as well. The world built by Azevedo and his team, featuring Isabella Isherwood as Music Director and Laura Savage as Choreographer, is so detailed and thought through. From costumes to lighting cues to prep-school dancers, it’s clear homage was payed to the original movie and production, while leaving room for Kokandy’s personal flare.
Taking a seat at the Chopin to watch the Chicago company do its thing, you feel a similar sense of sensual exclusivity, soaking in the nightclub vibe, and washing it all down with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or two.
Recently extended, Cruel Intentions now runs through August 21st at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. For tickets or more information, please click here.
Photo by Evan Hanover.