The Way of the World, Mom and Dad Productions, at Heartland Studio Theater. The worldwide craze for all things 80s marches on, with ever odder results. Take this foray into Restoration comedy. It’s common knowledge that the 80s were kind of the 50s (skinny ties, etc) and kind of 18th century (Les liaisons dangereuses, etc). But who knew they were the 17th century? Mom and Dad Productions has transposed Congreve’s sparkling work of 1700 to 1980s London and recast the roles. Roguish Mirabell is a Don Johnson type, vivacious Millamont is gowned a la Like a Virgin Madonna, and blocking characters Marwood and Fainall suggest Siouxsie Sioux and Spandau Ballet respectively. Mrs. Fainall is a bizarrely attractive Tammy Faye Bakker, Foible a Cramps-esque Satanette, Waitwell a Brian Setzer-like rocker, and queeny Witwoud a smashingly over-the-top Adam Ant in full Prince Charming drag.
