The Toledo Repertoire Theatre’s current production of John van Druten’s 1950s romantic comedy, Bell, Book, and Candle, which was directed by Jennifer Rockwood, will appeal to a wide range of audience members, and this production is particularly well suited to anyone looking for a romantic activity to include as part of a date or anniversary celebration.
Bell, Book, and Candle is a product of the 1950s, and it is one of those plays in which the New York City characters live inexplicably lavish lives in a very expensive city. I take that back: in this play the extravagance and luxury in which many of the characters live – including the lead character Gillian (Kate Abu-Absi) – is explained by their ability to control some aspects of reality (including their financial condition and material quality of life) through witchcraft. To summarize, the play tells the story of a relationship between Gillian and Shep (Matthew Gretzinger) that begins through a love spell placed on Shep by Gillian an which meets troubled times when Shep discovers he has been enchanted. It’s a catchy story that is easy for the audience to sink it’s teeth into, and the script is loaded with quick laugh moments.
Overall, the cast worked quite well as an ensemble. Abu-Absi should be noted for conveying a true transformation of her character, as she moved from cynical witch to sincere, loving human being. Both Abu-Absi and Gretzinger moved refreshingly away from the light tone that is often taken in 1950s comedies of this sort, by producing characters who are haunted by some rather realistic emotional turmoil. By playing against the script in this way, Gretzinger produced a deeper level of emotional truth and character than one might expect from a light, romantic comedy. (In case you have any questions, this is a positive statement.)
Unlike Abu-Absi and Gretzinger, the other actors in the play agreed with the tone of the script did. Although it must be admitted that this made it seem at times as if the other characters lived in a different dramatic world – a more surface and less sincere one – this was not inappropriate. For all of the other characters in the play – Nicky (John DuVall), Queenie (Jennifer Lake), and Sidney Redlitch (John Paul Welch) – did in fact seem to run in circles of people who suppressed their true selves and lived to manipulate the world on the basis of their own selfish interests. This distinction between the lead characters and the supporting cast did a great deal to emphasize the human aspects of the romantic relationship that drives the plot of Bell, Book, and Candle.
One final note: the set that Ryan Bernard Tymensky designed for the play was wonderful. I found it mesmerizing with its puzzle-like wall of suspended shelves that were loaded with interesting objects and special lighting. The maroon-tone of the apartment was strangely appealing to the eye. Tymensky made great use of the available space on the stage, and his upward-moving shelf design authentically reflected the creative use of space that New Yorkers employ to deal with their tight surroundings.
Bell, Book, and Candle is sure to delight fans of light romantic comedy and witchery.
The show runs four more times: 17, 18, 19, 20, 2011.
For times, tickets, and address information go to: http://www.toledorep.org/shows/current.htm
Thanks we had so much fun while working hard !