American Players Theatre: Fallen Angels
Laura Rook, Phoebe González, and Colleen Madden
American Players Theatre Presents FALLEN ANGELS Review - Like Jumping Into A Bubbly Glass of Champagne
TLDR: A fun and bubbly show about two best friends awaiting the arrival of a former lover. Fallen Angels delivers not only the glamour of the 1920s, but also delivers the fast paced and physical comedy that fans of Noël Coward and over the top comedy lovers will enjoy.
Laura Rook and Phoebe González
Rosé All Day at American Players
The set of Fallen Angels is bathed in all shades of dusky pink. The velvet couch to the soft footstools to regal pink marble pillars. Gilded gold accents run through the walls in geometric and sharp corners quintessential for that art deco style. A grand piano sits center in the far back with a vase of fresh flowers on it. We’re in the height of luxury of the 1920s waiting in the penthouse for the fun to start.
The costumes designed by Fabio Toblini also give us that 20s flair. Julia and Fred Sterroll smile widely and dance their way on stage during the opening number. They Charleston their way to center with Fred in traditional golfing costume complete with plus fours and long socks and Julia in tailored blouse and twirly circle skirt. Their best friends Jane and Willy also arrive with their individual fashion senses as well. Willy is also in a golfing set but with a much louder sweater matching his flair for the dramatics and Jane with a long feather in her cloche cap.
As their husbands go off on a golfing trip, the two women also have an exciting weekend ahead. Bursting with news they can’t wait to tell each other, their old flame has resurfaced and reached out to both of them. Will they end up seeing him? Will their husbands find out? But most importantly, will their friendship survive it all?
The It Girls of the 20th Century
With different personalities and fashion senses, Julia and Jane played by Phoebe González and Laura Rook respectively, form a dynamic pair - think Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, Serena Van Der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, with a dash of Thelma and Louise.
Jane feels inspired by Clara Bow with thin eyebrows, bright red lipstick, a curly blonde bob, and stylish fashion sense with a flair for the dramatic. Julia’s style is giving the very rich and fabulous It Girl of the 1920s with a fitted coral evening gown and a matching silk pajama set. These are society ladies living in the height of luxury. They promise each other that no matter what happens, they shall always remain friends.
Phoebe González and Laura Rook
Comedic Chops at Their Finest
The opening dance number, the entr’acte after intermission, and the final curtain call number add a bit of music and dancing to the show. Bubble guns blow a curtain of bubbles over the audience as they sing the final number. These little added bits add to the overall fun of Fallen Angels as the cast also gets a chance to stretch their comedy muscles.
Fred and Willy played by Nate Burger and Sam Luis Massaro respectively, pantomime fighting during the middle of their golf trip. Colleen Madden as the worldly, but sometimes oblivious Saunders, misses her cue to answer the door but it's only because she’s busy embodying Elton John engrossed at the piano with her pink feather duster between her teeth.
The cast uses the entire stage and set to their advantage. They fall through chairs after the third (or was it the fourth?) glass of champagne. They help each other up the stairs, one step at a time when the champagne has done its job and makes the world go blurry. González flops onto the ottoman and sticks out her leg for Saunders to roll her over to the couch. Rook drapes herself across the back of the sofa after tossing her shoes to the wayside.
If the challenge was for these two to make use of every part of the stage, they succeeded and then some much to our delight. They’re not afraid to be over the top dramatic, make themselves look ugly pretty, and hit the punchlines hard.
The After Party Thoughts
I liked the tone director Shannon Cochran decided to take with this show - the silliness, the physical comedy, the unspoken jokes in the pauses - it hits all the notes for a Coward comedy that keeps the pace quick and laughs coming. It could be very easy to fall into stereotypes where the men couldn’t be bothered with their wives and the women become catty fighting over a man. Instead the men are just oblivious and friendship comes first for Jane and Julia.
Even though it was written in 1925, there’s a lot here that speaks to a modern audience. Who hasn’t had a night with their best friends, revisiting old flames or waiting on a text from a new one over a glass of wine. Fallen Angels is bubbly, frothy, and will have you giggling like after taking the first sips of champagne. There’s nothing better than a night out with friends, so if you’re looking for a show not only about a raucous night overflowing with champagne, but a good comedic one for any occasion, Fallen Angels would be a good fit for you.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
When
Now through October 3, 2025
Where
American Players Theatre
Hill Theatre
5950 Golf Course Road
Spring Green, WI 53588
Runtime: 2hrs 5min, including a 20min intermission
Tickets
$66+
Tickets can be purchased through the American Players Theatre website
Photos
Michael Brosilow
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Colleen Madden
CAST
Phoebe González (Julia Sterroll)
Nate Burger (Fred Sterroll)
Colleen Madden (Saunders)
Sam Luis Massaro (Willy Banbury)
Laura Rook (Jane Banbury)
Ronald Román-Meléndez (Maurice Duclos)
CREATIVE
Shannon Cochran (Director)
Sara Becker (Voice & Text Coach)
Fabio Toblini (Costume Design)
Scott Penner (Scenic Design)
Dawn Chiang (Lighting Design)
Joe Cerqua (Music Composition & Sound Design)
Jeb Burris (Intimacy, Movement & Fight Director)
Mae Berg (Assistant Costume Design)
Alexandra Baus Pozniak (Assistant Stage Manager)
Lina Benich (Stage Manager)