A brilliant social satire, An Ideal Husband is the story of Sir Robert Chiltern (David Ledingham) who is "ideal" in the eyes of his wife, Lady Chiltern (Fiona Hutchinson). He seems to have it all: a beautiful, loving wife, a seat in the House of Commons, a vast personal fortune and, most importantly, a reputation for character which is beyond reproach. However, a shocking revelation about his past by Mrs. Cheveley (Stephanie Beacham) could cost him everything unless his friend Lord Goring (Daniel McDonald) can figure out a way to save him.

Leading the cast is the stunning Beacham as the scheming, manipulative Mrs. Cheveley. Best known to American television audiences as Sable Colby on Dynasty and The Colbys, Beacham is an experienced and polished actress who commands the stage with her visual beauty and dramatic flair. Her confrontation scenes with both Hutchinson and McDonald are terrific and she shows real mettle underneath her shapely figure. She is the divine villainess the audience loves to hate. Along with Beacham is Broadway veteran Daniel McDonald, making his Paper Mill debut. He is still settling into the difficult and tricky role of Lord Goring, but he does an admirable job, especially considering that he is not British. Goring must simultaneously deliver classic Wilde epigrams and witticisms with panache while lending the plight of his friend Chiltern the necessary dramatic weight. Suave and handsome, McDonald embodies the playboy with ease but will undoubtedly grow and deepen with regard to the more serious component of his character as the run progresses. As stated, it is an extremely difficult role that was played to perfection by Martin Shaw in the Hall production and, more recently, by Rupert Everett in the 1999 film version.

David Ledingham is persuasive and impassioned as Chiltern. An excellent actor, his realization that Chiltern’s life and career are on the precipice of destruction is heartbreaking. He also negotiates some unnecessarily busy blocking to accommodate the large stage at the Paper Mill with deftness and with as much style as is possible. His denunciation of Lady Chiltern at the end of Act I is unquestionably the highpoint of the production. Fiona 

Hutchinson is a lovely and winning presence. Her transition from unforgiving to understanding is creditable, and she has several nice moments, especially when verbally sparring with Beacham. In smaller supporting roles, Stephanie Cozart is delightful as the object of Lord Goring’s affection, Miss Mabel Chiltern, Kathleen Huber makes the most of her flighty Lady Markby, the always-reliable George S. Irving blusters appropriately as Goring’s father, the Earl of Caversham, and Denis Holmes steals his scene with Goring as the quintessential butler, Phipps.

An Ideal Husband is worth a trip to Millburn just to see Beacham. The audience at the performance I was at gasped at her every entrance, as did I. Intrigue has never been so beautiful.