November 28, 2011

 

Jack Sanders

Executive Editor

The Ridgefield Press

16 Bailey Avenue

Ridgefield, CT 06877

 

The Ridgefield Theater Barn would like to thank First Selectman Rudy Marconi and the Town of Ridgefield for making Prospect Ridge, up to Halpin Lane, a two-way street. 

 

The Theater Barn used to refer to itself as the “hidden gem” of Ridgefield, in part because, despite the fact we are now in our 46^th season, many in Ridgefield are not aware of our lovely little theater. This is largely due to our location off the beaten path. We are so pleased that as of November 21^st, Halpin Lane (via Prospect Ridge) is now accessible from both Governor Street and Prospect Street. This not only makes finding the Theater Barn easier, but it will also relieve the Ridgefield Playhouse from having to redirect some of our first-time patrons who inadvertently found themselves at the incorrect box office.

 

We are very grateful to Rudy Marconi and wish to thank him publicly for his efforts on our behalf.   And we invite everyone to find their way to our theater (which is now much easier!) for one of our upcoming productions. For more information, please visit www.ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org, or find us on Facebook.

 

With sincere thanks to The Honorable Rudy Marconi,

 

Wayne Leiss

President

Ridgefield Theater Barn

If you’re looking for chick lit or reality tv, this is probably not for you. However, having said that, if you are ready to watch a competent local theater group tackle a classic work of comedy with serious overtones, by all means check out Mrs. Warren. Shaw’s earliest full length play, it was banned in London for the first eight years after he wrote it in 1893, and it wasn’t until the twentieth century rolled around that it was actually performed on a public stage.
              
The stellar performance in this production is given by Judith Kealey as the lusty, tough-minded Kitty, proud of her accomplishments, and sure of her ability to manipulate men, who plays the role so seamlessly that it doesn’t seem like acting. You really believe that she is a real person up on stage. Jenny Gantwerker provides a strong counterweight as the priggish, self-righteous Vivie- who admits that the education she received at Cambridge is so narrow that she knows little of the world. She is determinedly unconventional and unsentimental, vowing that there will be no room in her life for love and romance, and at the same time pathetically innocent.  Richard Zane Ross is smarmily unpleasant as the cynical Sir George, while Stephen Saxton is cheerfully cynical as Frank Gardner,  the ne’er-do-well son of the local rector, who courts VIvie- possibly in hopes of landing a wealthy wife.  Patrick Spaulding is comically addled as Frank’s father, the Reverend, whose wild youth led him to be entangled with Mrs. Warren in mysterious ways.  The cast is rounded out by Phil Cook as Kitty’s architect-friend, Mr. Praed,  a sweet and gentle man who tries to keep the peace between mother and daughter, and laments Vivie’s hard-hearted resolve to pursue a life totally devoid of sentiment.

 

The play may be more than a hundred years old, but it is younger- and more accessible- than Shakespeare, and an excellent chance to see some Shaw, which, apart from Pygmalion, rarely makes it to the local boards.

 

 

 

Make it a point to come to the Ridgefield Theater Barn to see the current production of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs.Warren’s Profession. This play was written in 1893 and first produced in 1902 after having been considered scandalous because of its theme of prostitution. Kudos to the director, Larry Schneider, for bringing us a witty comedy that defies traditional society. 

 

The scenes between Vivie, played with precision by Jenny Gantwerker of Ridgefield and Kitty Warren, played powerfully by Judith Kealey of Westport, are captivating. The supporting cast is uniformly strong, as well. Phil Cook as Mr. Praed is perfect as Mrs. Warren’s architect friend. Richard Zane Ross as Sir George Crofts is effective as the wealthy, well-dressed business partner of Mrs. Warren who has accompanied her on this trip. Stephen Saxton as Frank Gardner, is sweet and very much in love with Vivie. His father, the Reverend Gardner, played by Patrick Spaulding, is marvelously bumbling and essentially harmless.

 

Kudos to the costume designer, Tammy Wingertzahn, for her authentic recreation of the clothing worn in Victorian England, corset included. The set design, including a garden, sitting room and office, by Robert Bose, Kim Gerardi and Larry Schneider was the perfect backdrop to the story. José Helú did his usual excellent job as lighting designer creating both indoor and outdoor ambiance on the stage.

 

This holiday season, treat yourself to a classic play that is as pertinent now as it was one hundred eighteen years ago.