Booked & Scene

Slip into your tux or toss on a cocktail dress, High Society at Ogunquit Playhouse invites audiences to a weekend in Newport where love triangles, witty banter, and Cole Porter classics take center stage. Directed by Matt Lenz, the musical follows socialite Tracy Lord on the eve of her second wedding, a carefully curated society affair that goes sideways when her charming ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven crashes the party. Add in a pair of undercover reporters, a meddling younger sister, and plenty of champagne, and you’ve got a sparkling mix of romance, comedy, and chaos.

A Weekend Worth Crashing

Robyn Hurder as Tracy Lord is a tour de force. She commands the stage from the first note to the last, blending powerhouse vocals, breathtaking dance numbers, and razor-sharp comedic timing. Her drunken antics are a masterclass in controlled chaos, and she somehow manages to make every scene partner shine brighter just by sharing the stage.

Max Clayton as C.K. Dexter Haven is her perfect counterpart. Watching him and Hurder spar with ex-spouse banter before rediscovering their spark is endlessly satisfying. Their chemistry is effortless, and the payoff of their happily-ever-after lands just right. Andrew Durand as Mike Connor rounds out the central trio, bringing both charm and nuance to the role. His brief romance with Tracy feels distinct and never undercuts the primary love story, making the love triangle all the more entertaining. Highlights included the Act I number “She’s Got That Thing” and the Act II duet “Well, Did You Evah?” with Dexter capped by a playful hat-tossing reprise that left the audience grinning.

Supporting but Never Secondary

Ari Groover’s Cholly Knickerbocker steals scenes as the show’s ever-present narrator. She delivers winks and one-liners with just the right amount of bite and charm. Bryan Batt’s Uncle Willy and Sydney Morton’s Liz Imbrie are another standout pair. Their Act II number, “It’s De-Lovely,” radiates joy, and both actors balance comedy and sincerity beautifully. Batt’s hungover antics earned some of the biggest laughs of the night… relatable, to say the least. Charlie Franklin’s George Kittredge sprints on and off stage with boundless energy and makes his otherwise “buttoned-up fiancé” role endearing enough to root for, at least a little. And Charlotte Van Ledtje as Dinah Lord might just be the future of musical theater. Her comedic timing, pointe work, and scene-stealing mime routine in “C’est Magnifique” were nothing short of delightful. Watching her hold her own alongside Sara Gettelfinger as Margaret Lord, Mike McGowan as Seth Lord, and Bryan Batt as Uncle Willy was a treat. She embodies the ideal meddling younger sister with mischief and heart.

Picture Perfect & Porter-Fied

Jeffry Denman’s choreography is a joy to watch, especially the tap numbers that bring the whole ensemble together in stunning stage pictures and high-energy sequences. Ogunquit’s orchestra, led by Nicholas Connors, sounds lush and vibrant, carrying Cole Porter’s iconic score with ease. And the costumes by Tracy Christensen deserve their own curtain call. Every look, especially for Tracy and Cholly, was an explosion of elegance and personality, capturing the opulence and frivolity of the Newport set.

When the Bubbles Go Flat

At just over two and a half hours, the show never dragged, but a few moments felt like they could have been trimmed. The honeymoon boat memory scene between Tracy and Dexter didn’t add much new information and could easily be excised without losing impact. My bigger hurdle was the book itself: Tracy’s whirlwind of kisses—her ex-husband and the reporter, all the night before her wedding—makes for a chaotic story that stretches believability. The plot lingers in some scenes, then ties up almost too neatly in the finale.

Raising a Glass to Ogunquit

A night at Ogunquit Playhouse is always a treat, and High Society is no exception. From the lush orchestrations and jaw-dropping choreography to the knockout performances and the ever-tempting Maine blueberry whoopie pies at intermission, it’s an evening of pure theatrical joy. High Society delivers classic tunes, glitzy dancing, and a whirlwind weekend in Newport that’s de-lovely. High Society runs through August 23.