Gillian Holroyd is a witch living in NYC’s Greenwich Village in the late 1950s. Upon encountering Shepherd “Shep” Henderson, she decides to cast a love spell to make him her own. What’s a nefarious witch to do when her nifty neighbor’s fiancée — her old college rival — can’t hold a candle to her? Enchant him to love her instead! The problem with that is, rumor has it witches lose their magical powers should they fall in love. She soon finds herself switching gears, having succumbed to Shep’s many charms. Arctic Playhouse presents this bewitching tale, written by John Van Druten and deftly directed by Jay Burns, about women and the lives they are expected to lead, which is as complicated as it is fun.
The phrase “bell, book, and candle” refers to a ceremonial method of excommunication in the Roman Catholic Church, dating back to the 9th century, serving as a dramatic form of cursing, or anathema. This ritual symbolizes the Church’s authority to impose severe sanctions on those who’ve committed ominous sins. Ceremonial elements representing different aspects of the excommunication process include ringing a bell to signify the announcement of the excommunication, closing a book to represent the record of the individual’s sins, and extinguishing a candle to symbolize the light of faith being extinguished.
“When John Van Druten wrote Bell, Book, & Candle, women were still being told that marriage was the ultimate destination,” says Burns. “That independence was something to be suspicious of, and that a woman who wanted more might be asking for too much. Gillian Holroyd is fascinating because she has already stepped outside those expectations. She is powerful in a world that isn’t entirely comfortable with powerful women. Gillian isn’t simply deciding whether she loves Shep. She’s wrestling with what it means to choose a life for herself and what she might have to surrender in order to become the woman society expects her to be.”
Beyond the hocus pocus, there’s much food for thought here. Burns, whose directorial expertise continues to grow exponentially, explains, “Looking at the play through an intersectional lens allows us to enjoy its fantasy while also asking who gets to be free, who gets to be unconventional, and who is still expected to conform. So yes, there will be magic. There will be martinis. There will be fabulous clothes and sets. There will be a black cat. But beneath the mid-century glamour is a woman asking a very modern question: What if the life you’re supposed to want isn’t the life you actually want? Getting to answer that feels pretty magical to me.”
It’s “presto chango” when Gillian, as portrayed by Marisa Brown with a calm, crafty exterior, finds herself unexpectedly falling for Shep. This can’t bode well for her within the coven. Mike Petrarca offers up old-world charisma and drama as Shep, like he just stepped out of a classic ’50s movie; super fun to watch. He’s determined to keep his secure footing despite being surrounded by those who believe reality should loosen its tie. When the plot requires sudden shifts from suspicion, to sincerity, to utter bemusement, he unapologetically banks each bend with tactical focus.
Sandi Nicastro portrays Aunt Queenie with the skill of a comedic diva only a true veteran of the stage can wield. There’s also Angelina Manfredi as Nicky, making her debut at Arctic after honing her skills with the Community Players, and Paul Oliver, no stranger to the Arctic stage, adding their strengths to the production. You’ll even meet Pyewacket, the Mexican black cat, who holds more power than appearances dictate.
Arctic Playhouse’s Bell, Book & Candle is a cunningly crafty candy that treats comedy as craft. Under Burns’ skillful direction, the staging supports the momentum. Scenes move gracefully across the one set with seamless transitions. The ensemble’s movement also gives the show visual clarity, making it easy to track the shifting loyalties and sudden misunderstandings that fuel the narrative’s engine. Visually, the witchcraft elements are demonstrated through performance rather than being explained, adding glimmer to the farce. Experience the laughter, charm and romance before the magic is gone!
Artic presents this magical production through September 13. For more information, visit thearcticplayhouse.com.