Lilies, or the Revival of a Romantic Drama

 

Lilies
or the Revival of a Romantic Drama
The Drama Company NYC
The Jerry Orbach Theater
at The Theater Center
May 29, 2021 

Photo courtesy of The Drama Company

The Drama Company NYC’s production of Lilies, or the Revival of a Romantic Drama, is presently running Off Broadway at The Jerry Orbach Theater in The Theater Center.  The simplicity of this production focuses the attention on the characters and the acting.  The all-male, tightly-knit ensemble cast creates a succinct atmosphere in which unfolds a love story surrounded by shame, madness, and deception.

After being released from prison, Simon Doucet (played by JJ Miller) confronts his childhood friend, now Bishop, Jean Bilodeau (played by Marc Verzatt) on the lies told at his trial thirty years earlier.  Simon prepared a performance to trap Bishop Bilodeau into facing the truth that lead to the tragic events that put him in jail.  The play they watch reveals the love between a young Simon (played by Hartley Parker) and his schoolmate, Count Vallier De Tilly (played by Florimond Le Goupil-Maier).  Simon is brutally beaten by his father (played by JJ Miller) when word of this relationship is accidentally exposed.  In response, Simon agrees to marry Lydie-Anne De Rozier (played by J.P. Ross).  A young Jean Bilodeau (played by Grant Hale) follows Simon, perpetually shaming him as he and Vallier’s paths continue to cross.  It is Vallier’s mother, Countess Marie-Laure De Tilly (played by Bill Morton) who gives Simon and her son the acceptance they need to allow their love to flourish.  This only motivates the young Jean Bilodeau to take action to pull them apart with a devastating result. 

Bill Morton & Florimond Le Goupil-Maier
Photo courtesy of The Crama Company NYC

Bill Morton is mesmerizing as Countess Mari-Laurie De Tilly.  The character is called crazy a number of times in the earlier scenes, and Mr. Morton brings a truthful portrayal of this woman’s plunge into delusional madness.  Tracking the arc of this character brings the action of this story to fruition, while adding much needed comic relief.  Hartley Parker  plays Simon Doucet with a strong aloofness that pays off when he gives into Count Vallier De Tilly’s persistent affection.  Florimond Le Goupil-Maier plays this persistence with a tender and caring touch that endears him to the audience.  J.P. Ross is bold and charismatic as Lydie-Anne D Rozier.  Grant Hale is as cold as ice as the young Jean Bilodeau, which is superbly reflected in Marc Verzatt’s portrayal of the older character.  Mr. Verzatt’s breakdown at the end of the show, as he faces his character’s truth, is powerful and genuine.  

Florimond Le Goupil-Maier & Hartley Parker
Photo courtesy of The Drama Company NYC

Andrew Benvenuti has directed this production with a strong intention and keen eye on detail.  Lilies, or the Revival of a Romantic Drama is playing at the Jerry Orbach Theater in The Theater Center (50^th Street and Broadway) through June 6.  Safety protocols at The Theater Center are well implemented.  Ventilation is documented.  Seating is sporadic.  Audience members are required to wear masks throughout the performance.  See if you can get a ticket before the show closes, and begin your transition back to live theatre. 

Domenick Danza