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Written in three 35 minute acts, Candida was not the long (or boring) classic I had expected. It plays more like a good night of NBC TV; watch "Friends," go get a drink, watch "Mad About You," use the bathroom, finish off with "ER." While I certainly mean no disrespect to Shaw or the wonderful cast by comparing their art to television, the shows suggested give you a good idea of the emotion you are left with after each act.
In the first, we meet the six characters and have a good laugh while they poke fun at one another. Reverend James Morell, the handsome, disciplined, all around good guy, is married to Candida. Morell's secretary is the uptight Proserpine Garnett. Burgess, Candida's father, has heart is in his pocketbook. Then there's the young poet with too much time to ponder and his heart-on-his-sleeve, Eugene Marchbanks. Of course, there is Candida herself but we don't hear much from Candida in the first act. We do learn volumes about her, however, from what everyone else has to say about her. Oh, and there's young Reverend Alexander Mill who, as far as I could tell, serves no great purpose in this play.
The first act gives humorous character study but in the closing moments, we get a hint of the drama to come. After spending time with Candida, the young Eugene announces to the Reverend that he has fallen in love with his wife. While Morell laughs off this boyish fantasy, Eugene asserts that Candida is a woman who she needs attention and romance, not rhetoric and preaching. Eugene wants to save Candida from her deadening fate. As the act closes, the once confident Morell has doubts.
The second act digs deeper. The humor is still there, but Morell is starting to accept Eugene's ideas and tests them on his unsuspecting wife. He misinterprets her responses to mean Eugene is correct. He decides to go preach, alone, at a speaking engagement. He leaves Eugene to spend the evening with Candida.
The third act is most intense. Eugene tries to woo the righteous wife with his poetry and flights of fancy. Candida appears to be swayed. When Morell returns and sees the look between the two, he assumes the worst. He announces defeat rather than fighting.
Lest you think Candida is the weak pawn in this game, you are sadly mistaken. Shaw gives Candida the ultimate mix of Madonna and whore. She herself will decide who she will be with, not taking to be thrown around like property from man to man. This last act is a battle. I'll let you find out who wins.
The cast ATC acquired was, once again, extraordinary. Mark Capri devours the juicy role of Reverend Morell. He portrays the various transformations wonderfully. James J. Lawless played Burgess' two-dimensional curmudgeon character to perfection. Terri McMahon's more developed and snouty Proserpine was great fun to watch. Her exit after having one too many champagne cocktails, evoked show stopping applause.
The power performances were Candida and Eugene. Candida was delicate, yet strong, well-breed but not above helping the servants, compassionate yet deadly honest. Robin Goodrin Nordli was reserved in the first act, as she needed to be, and shined in the third as Candida controlled both men with a flick of her pinky. Raymond Chapman nailed his angst-ridden poet. His Eugene could rival any coffee house teen- poet of today.
Which brings up a good point. Shaw's play is almost 100 years old but still relevant to our times. The mystery of woman has not been solved. What do women want: romance or strength; independence or someone to take care of her; to be loved for her purity or beauty? It would appear the women of today also want it all. No wonder our young men are so confused.
Oh, and local Michael Tassoni performed well in his thankless role of Reverend Alexander Mill. Maybe next time ATC will allow him a meatier role.
As for technical aspects, I loved the set. The turn of the century drawing room, trimmed in royal purple, was dressed with many appropriate and detailed props. I was had to chuckle each time Miss Proserpine hacked out a letter on her manual typewriter I was amazed the set dresser, Norm Spencer, was able to find such an antique. ;^)
The only negative I found in the entire show was a misguided blue light. One of the "fill" stage lights gave a ghostly hue to anyone who passed through it. I did view the play on opening night so there are many possible excuses before faulting the Lighting Designer or Director. As a knowledgeable technician, I was annoyed by this, but it is possible no one else in the audience was the wiser.
Penny Metropulos' direction was superb. There were many moments when the blocking alone was getting a laugh. From the fast paced comedy of the first act to the tense drama in the third, Metropulos showed no weaknesses. Just like Candida.
I was pleasantly surprized that I enjoyed Candida. As a play, Shaw is flawless. For a production, ATC was exceptional. The audience left with a want to discuss it. I even wanted to go read the play. My friends can tell you that is the highest compliment I could ever bestow. Three cheers to ATC, Metropulos and Shaw for a perfect night.
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