The musical Cruel Intentions was adapted from the film, which was conceived as a contemporary version of the film Dangerous Liaisons, which was taken from the French novel (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) by de Laclos, and so on. Briefly, Vicomte Valmont and Isabel Merteuil are kindred, sociopathic spirits. In the original inception, they belong to the French aristocracy. Merteuil has been dumped by Bastide, and seeks revenge by sending Valmont to deflower Bastide’s fiancee, Cecile. In exchange, she will grant Valmont the privilege of making love to her.
In the musical adaptation by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Roger Kumble, Valmont and Merteuil are Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil: stepbrother and sister, living under he same roof. They both attend the same prestigious, private high school, and so we are submerged in the atmosphere of wealthy, snotty, disaffected teenagers. Like their predecessors, Kathryn and Sebastian are preoccupied with seduction, promiscuousness, and retribution for slights and betrayals. Kathryn wants to punish someone for character assassination, and enlists Sebastian’s help, in exchange for sex with her. Like the Vicomte, Sebastian has craved this intersection for a very long time. Through a succession of conquests, chicanery and manipulations, the two degrade and devastate soul after soul in their quest for gratification.
It’s pretty clear that Valmont and Merteuil deal in and savor degeneracy, because they’re filled with rage and disappointment. Not that there’s much to point us in that direction. We’re not exactly subjected to two-dimensional villains, who’s sole motivation is that they just love being evil. The two seem to be involved in an icy, unsettling contest of ruthlessness and depravity. Their approach to settling the score may be obtuse, but it’s nonetheless effective. Whether we’re exploring them in the context of French privilege or Manhattan socialites, Valmont and Merteuil are trapped in the realm of empty victories.
You can’t blame a musical that merely dabbles in wickedness while making no pretense of substance. Kathryn and Sebastian enjoy spreading misery and dragging others into their “web of sin,” with no compunctions. Cruel Intentions suggests karma (such as it does) by inference. Ross, Rosin and Kumble have crafted this show for pleasure, while weaving seminal rock and pop hits from the 1990’s (including: Bittersweet Symphony, Bye Bye Bye, Sex and Candy and I’m The Only One). Though not always honoring original intent, or delivered with a straight face. What can I say about this delinquent, brash musical with blue-blazered preppy imps? The stone cold anti-protagonists depict Valmont and Merteuil with some cunning, but little of the jadedness that explains who and what they are. How could they? That depth of cynicism only comes with age. It’s a great time and punchy, amusing ride.
Cruel Intentions played at The Wyly from May 22nd-26th, 2019. AT&T Performing Arts Center: Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. 214-880-0202. 2400 Flora Street, Dallas, TX 75201.