SYNOPSIS
Design for Living is a comedy written by Noël Coward in 1932. The play revolves around the relationship between three friends: Otto, a painter; Gilda, an interior decorator; and Leo, a playwright (originally played by Noël himself). The love triangle between the three leads is extremely unconventional even by today's standards.  Gilda attempts a traditional relationship with each man, but ends up cheating on each of them with the other. After the trio is split by Gilda’s loveless marriage to Ernest, Otto and Leo decide they cannot lose her. It is only when they realize that the one thing missing in each pairing is the third individual that they settle down together as a trio. Leo lessens the ambiguity of their relationship when he explains to Gilda that, "the actual facts are so very simple. I love you, you love me. You love Otto. I love Otto. Otto loves you. Otto loves me..." The relationship between each person is as strong as the other and they all depend on this.  

Recommended for adult audiences.

BEHIND THE SCENES
View photos from the show.

Click here to see the schedule of Audience Enrichment events.

Check out some of the looks that inspired Costume Designer Gregory Pulver.

PLAYWRIGHT
Noël Coward was an influential 20^th century personality. He is known for his contributions as an English actor, dramatist, film maker & director, author and composer. His versatility as an entertainer contributed greatly to the arts. Coward is known for his witty English comedies and quotations, part of a tradition that began with William Congreve and continued with Oscar Wilde. In praise of his versatility, Lord Mountbatten said in a tribute on Coward's seventieth birthday, "There are probably greater painters than Noël, greater novelists than Noël, greater librettists, greater composers of music, greater singers, greater dancers, greater comedians, greater tragedians, greater stage producers, greater film directors, greater cabaret artists, greater TV stars. If there are, they are fourteen different people. Only one man combined all fourteen different labels – The Master."In all forty of his plays, Coward displayed his strong satiric humor and gift for witty dialogues. His most notable works include The Vortex, Blithe Spirit, Private Lives and Hay Fever. These plays were thought daring at the time because the main characters had unconventional attitudes. He wrote over 300 songs, and also produced several operettas, revues and musicals. 

PRODUCTION HISTORY
Design for Living premiered on Broadway in 1933, starring the playwright himself, as well as his two close friends (and themselves and a couple), Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt. The provocative themes in Design for Living, delayed its London premiere until Jan 25, 1939. It finally opened London’s Haymarket Theatre and transferred to the Savoy Theatre, running for 233 performances, before the outbreak of WWII ended the production. It has entertained audiences years after its premiere in a myriad of revivals: most notably in 1984, with the first Broadway Revival opened at the Circle in the Square Theater, a shocking 1994 revival at the Donmar Warehouse Theater which emphasized the sexual overtones of the play, and most recently a 2001 Broadway revival starring Alan Cumming, Dominic West, and Jennifer Ehle.

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

Bob & Janet Conklin

Christine Swanson

PRESENTING SEASON SPONSOR:
 
 

"Coward's capacity to provoke, like his talent to amuse, has not at all faded with time." - The New York Times.

“Each new generation thinks it has invented sex and decadence, but Noel Coward's Design for Living is a witty reminder of the folly of this notion.”—The New Zealand Herald (2008).

Click here to read The Oregonian's preview article

"As Otto and Leo, Todd Van Voris and Michael Mendelson, complement each other wonderfully."
- The Oregonian

"Both Van Voris and Mendelson handle Coward's dialogue smoothly and are especially hilarious...It's not hard to like these two even as we question the virtue of their actions." - The Oregonian

"Playing Gilda, Sarah Lucht is most successful in conveying the languid, dispirited, world-weary dimension of a character who seems to have sacrificed too much of herself for the men she loves."
-The Oregonian

“Fabulous acting, such a dynamic cast and a wonderful production…” – Audience Member

“The actors were exceptional and did a wonderful job creating their characters. Michael Mendelson, Todd Van Voris and Vana O'Brien were particularly outstanding. Loved the show!” – Audience Member

“I loved the thoughtfulness with which the play was directed and the beautiful job of character portrayal by the actors. It was a delightful and entertaining show, which was made more fun by the stylized depiction of the characters and the period.” – Audience Member

“Coward's witty, clever, cynical writing performed well with excellent designs and music.” – Audience Member

“The acting was superb, and the costumes were fabulous.” – Audience Member

 “Absolutely, hands-down our favorite thing about the show was the actor who played Otto (Todd Van Voris). He stole every scene he was in. I have seen him in other productions and think he is simply a delight to watch. Very talented guy! I also liked a lot of the dialog and was genuinely entertained the whole time.” – Audience Member