BWW Review: A MINISTER'S WIFE: Love, Marriage, and the Poetry in Between
In A MINISTER'S WIFE, the composer's collaboration with Austin Pendleton (book), and Jan Levy Tranen (lyrics) dilutes his influence on CANDIDA's transcription, relegating the audience to a compendiary version that eliminates, among other elements, Candida's businessman father - a staunch capitalist foil to her socialist husband, the Reverend James Morell. Just as well, I suppose, given the daunting task of mixing up politics with a love triangle.
BWW Review: CANDIDA, Orange Tree Theatre
Among the new writing and nurturing of talent during a season at Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre, there is always a revival of a more classic piece. Artistic Director Paul Miller has an historical weakness for Bernard Shaw, with a new version of Candida being the fourth Shaw play he has directed at the theatre since 2014.
BWW Review: CANDIDA at Washington Stage Guild
Washington Stage Guild's production of Candida gave life to an extremely charming George Bernard Shaw comedic classic. Bernard Shaw's story follows a tangled romance between a preacher, Reverend Morell, his wife, Candida, and a young poet who wishes to win her heart, Eugene Marchbanks.
Nathan Whitmer as Reverend Morell, presents a clergyman as a Christian Socialist dedicated to his work and intending to do right by everyone in his life. Whitmer's interpretation of the character is ruled by the balance between his patience and his passion. Whitmer as Morell also shows a touching fondness for his on and off stage wife, Emilie Faith Thompson as Candida, which added an especially sweet quality to the production. Thompson presents a preacher's wife, mother, and house-maker who navigates such with grace and charm. Thompson approaches the text with tact and careful consideration, successfully portraying the most sensible character in the show. Ben Ribler as Eugene Marchbanks, creates a very anxious, and occasionally manic young poet, drunk in love with the Reverend's wife. Much like his on-stage competitor, Ribler also builds this amazing juxtaposition between his passion and his sensibility, up until his passion overruns all logical thought and he descends into his overwhelming obsession for Candida.
The cast is also joined by supporting characters, Ms. Prosperine Garnett, the Reverend's secretary, Reverend Lexy Mill, Morell's curate, and Candida's father, Mr. Burgess. Danielle Scott as Ms. Garnett created a classic busybody secretary, both disciplined and dedicated, and consistently amusing. Danny Beason as Reverend Lexy managed with the little stage time he had to make an impression as a lackadaisical yet dutiful curate to the Reverend Morell, further fortifying the respect people have for the Reverend. The cast is rounded out by seasoned David Bryan Jackson, who portrayed Candida's money-on-the-mind father, Mr. Burgess. Jackson had a particularly acute talent of delivering his performance with comedic ease.
The direction of Lauren Ghiradelli, a company member of the Washington Stage Guild, has navigated a dexterous script, chock full of lyricism and the beautiful, clever language of Shaw. And in doing so, raised questions about marriage, the expectations placed on it, and the dynamic between husband and wife in the Victorian era. Overall, the production is lively, wildly amusing, and nothing less than charming.
The Washington Stage Guild Presents CANDIDA By George Bernard Shaw
The Washington Stage Guild returns to the Nobel Prize-winning George Bernard Shaw, with a new production of the first play by GBS ever presented by the Stage Guild, Candida. Subtitled a?oeA Mystery,a?? in it, a preacher and a poet are in love with the same woman. The former is her husband, the latter wants to woo her away, and both are shocked by her ultimate choice and the reasons for it.
Pittsburgh Public Theater Announces 2013-14 'Masterpiece' Season
America's most beautiful play. A drama that demolishes the stage. The musical heartbeat of Manhattan. An intimate encounter with an epic tale. Wit as dazzling as diamonds. The funniest farce of the last 50 years. Welcome to 'The Masterpiece Season,' six essential and lasting theatrical works specially chosen by Producing Artistic Director Ted Pappas to create a unique year of theatergoing in Pittsburgh Public Theater's 2013-14 season.
New Musical Adaptation, A MINISTER'S WIFE, Plays San Jose Rep, Now thru July 14
The poignant and provocative new musical, A Minister's Wife, makes its West Coast premiere at San Jose Rep today, June 20 - July 14, 2013. Based on George Bernard Shaw's well-known play Candida, this musical soars with its emotive and dazzling score by the award-winning composer of Adding Machine, Joshua Schmidt, and its beautiful lyrics by Jan Levy Tranen. The smart script by Austin Pendleton, a Tony-nominated director, actor and playwright, and graceful directing by the originator and award-winning director, Michael Halberstam, shape this musical into an adventurous evening of theatre. The Wall Street Journal says, 'This is the most important new musical since The Light in the Piazza ... to say that you mustn't miss it is to grossly understate the case.'
Trevor Nunn Directs Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin and Rory Bremner in Bath's 2013 Summer Season
The Theatre Royal Bath Summer Season 2013 offers a season of new in-house productions including Noel Coward's Relative Values, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin and Rory Bremner; Candida by Bernard Shaw, directed by Simon Godwin; King Lear directed by Lucy Bailey and starring David Haig; and Feydeau's A Little Hotel on the Side, adapted by John Mortimer and directed by Lindsay Posner and Cal McCrystal.
Trevor Nunn to Direct Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin and Rory Bremner in Bath's 2013 Summer Season
The Theatre Royal Bath Summer Season 2013 offers a season of new in-house productions including Noel Coward's Relative Values, directed by Trevor Nunn and starring Patricia Hodge, Caroline Quentin and Rory Bremner; Candida by Bernard Shaw, directed by Simon Godwin; King Lear directed by Lucy Bailey and starring David Haig; and Feydeau's A Little Hotel on the Side, adapted by John Mortimer and directed by Lindsay Posner and Cal McCrystal.
BWW Interviews: Bobby Steggert on His Career, A MINSTER'S WIFE and Being a Nerd
It's obvious that Bobby Steggert is beginning to feel very much at home in the bowels of Lincoln Center. He's in the very dressing room that he had less than a year ago when he appeared in their production of A. R. Gurney's delightful play THE GRAND MANNER. Now he's playing Eugene Marchbanks in Joshua Schmidt and Jan Levy Tranen's A MINISTER's WIFE; a musical treatment of George Bernard Shaw's CANDIDA which opened on Sunday, May 8th.
CANDIDA Closes At Two River Theater Co 4/10
Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias, continues its season with George Bernard Shaw's classic Candida, directed by David Staller. Performances will end Sunday, April 10.
CANDIDA Opens at Two River Theater Company 3/26
Two River Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias, continues its season with George Bernard Shaw's classic Candida, directed by David Staller. Performances will begin at Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, on Tuesday, March 22 and continue through Sunday, April 10. The opening night performance is Saturday, March 26 at 8pm.