The Hilberry Theatre Company is pleased to present the Restoration comedy The Way of the World for the first time in the company’s 52-year history. This comedy of manners by William Congreve is focused on social behavior, manipulation and life in the households of London’s high society. The story skewers the stratified world of serving and aristocratic classes at the turn of the 18th century. Such stories remain fascinating to our more democratic accessibilities, most notably witnessed in popular culture with series like Downton Abbey. 

This production is directed by Lavinia Hart, WSU associate professor of theatre and head of the MFA acting program. Hart returns to directing on the Hilberry stage following her critically acclaimed acting appearance in last season’s August: Osage County. Her other Hilberry directing credits include The Servant of Two Masters, Detroit, The Kentucky Cycle and The Cripple of Inishmaan. 

Describing the production, Hart says, “we see the finest wits of the era in this play and also the funniest false wits … the audience is charged with the delightful task of receiving all the contrasting characters and … the enjoyment of language.” 

The Way of the World will run in rotating repertory this winter, with opening night on Friday, Jan. 16, and performances will continue through March 7. The production promises a delightful visual and literary feast, with period-specific costuming and scenic design creating English homes and associated locations. 

The Hilberry’s 2014-15 season also includes All In The Timing, a collection of one-act plays by David Ives (through January 31), and Arthur Miller’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama An Enemy of the People (February 20-March 28) playing in repertory. The season will close with Patrick Barlow’s hilarious spoof of Alfred Hitchcock and John Buchan’s The 39 Steps (April 10-25).

For tickets, visit wsushows.com.