BWW Reviews: AND A NIGHTINGALE SANG

The title of C.P. Taylor's 1977 play, And A Nightingale Sang may conjure feelings of a time most of us don't remember, but David Kennedy's direction of the play, which is running at the Westport Country Playhouse, is surprisingly energetic. The characters are unforgettable, and the performers in this production are brilliant.

Here's the plot. It is World War II, and the Stott family is learning to cope with fear, blackout curtains, air raid sirens, rations, and things they haven't even thought of worrying about. This is a concept that is hard for most Americans to understand because other than the attacks on 9/11, no foreign enemy has tried to land on American soil. And while some companies were selling gas masks, the message people got from Washington was, "Don't worry. Be happy." Duct tape is good for sealing windows, but otherwise, go shopping and have fun.

For the Stotts and most families, war was serious. Moreover, their lives were being turned around. Matriarch Peggy (Deirdre Madigan) had to juggle running the household, which included her husband, George (Sean Cullen), daughters, Helen (Brenda Meany) and Joyce (Jenny Leona), and father, Andie (Richard Kline). Jenny becomes the reluctant war bride of Eric (John Skelley) and Helen, who was resigned to accept being perpetually single because one of her legs is shorter than the other, finds love with a soldier, Norman (Matthew Greer). Sounds pleasant, no? Well, Peggy is a nervous wreck about everyone, including the parish priest. Her worries are valid, and she isn't even aware of all them. She isn't even aware of the secrets her family has, such as Joyce's relationships with other men and her possible pregnancy. Helen goes headfirst into a relationship with a married man. George copes by playing the latest songs on the piano. Andie makes witty comments about everybody and everything. In theory, these people should all be stock characters and the audience should leave the theatre feeling that they've seen and heard all this before.

Maybe they did, but they certainly didn't see it this way, thanks to this dynamic cast and crew. Kristen Robinson incorporates into the set both predictable period furniture of a working class family and a now trendy industrial background. Michael Krass's costume design are perfect for the era. Matthew Richards's lighting, along with Fitz Patton's sound evoke a winning combination of the mood of the daily domestic life during a war that is hitting home. The cast totally gets that mood. Meaney could be more convincing about her character's limp, at least in the beginning of the play. As the narrator as well as character, she explains her mother's straightforwardness in referring to her as "the cripple." Nevertheless, Meany she gives Helen the dignity she deserves and it's an honor to watch as Helen develops self-confidence through love. Leona is plausible as the young, hesitant yet impulsive woman who is living in a very uncertain time. Kline steals the scenes with some really funny lines and comic timing and dead-pan delivery. Madigan's gives Peggy more depth than expected. John Skelly shows enough vulnerability to his worm of a character that the audience understands Helen's acceptance of their relationship. Matthew Greer's transformation from clean-cut to man with a shady side totally credible. Sean Cullen's George is likeable and solid - the salt of the earth kind of person you can always rely on anytime, especially during a difficult time. The last time this critic saw anything so genuine in feeling is the 1970 British TV series, A Family At War.

"And a Nightingale Sang" runs at the Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, through June 27. For tickets or more information, go to www.westportplayhouse.org or call 203-227-4177.

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