Set in the perfectly appointed (Paige Hathaway) sitting room of a middle class house in a square in London , 1901, Bella and her husband Jack, along with their faithful maid, Elizabeth, and their flirtatious servant Nancy, strange things begin to happen.
Unexplained noises come from the attic, the gaslights dim every now and then, jewelry ominously disappears, and feigned illness fill this house. The problem is that Bella seems to be the only one affected by these disturbances. Jack tries to convince Bella that she is imagining things. After all, Bella’s aunt went mad. Perhaps Bella inherited the same condition? Oh! I love this stuff!
Some of you might remember the 1944 movie “Gaslight” with Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman, or the original 1938 stage version of this psychological thriller that could send chills up your spine.
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| Brittany Bellizeare |
“Deceived”, now playing in the round on the Sheryl and White Theatre through Sept. 7th, and excellently directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, and adapted for the stage by Johanna Wright and Patty Jameson is every bit a tingle as was the original movie.
Sonnenberg, founder of Moxie Theatre, has assembled first rate cast for this double treat of a mystery.
Brittany Bellizeare has the perfect demeanor to handle the confused Bella. Her movements, her looks tell one story about the beginnings of someone losing it. At first, she can’t fathom the disappearing jewelry, the dimming lights, the unpaid bills, the attic noises and the misplaced picture of her beloved aunt.
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| Brittany Bellizeare and Travis Van Winkle |
Travis Van Winkle’s Jack is at first self- assured in convincing Bella that something is wrong with her. He keeps sending her to her room to rest as he flits about coming and going supposedly to his club. But really?
Kennedy Tolson’s Nancy, the maid, has an ace up her sleeve, but we don’t learn of that until later. What we do know is that she flirts a lot with Jack, and he with her.
The prize, however, is Maggie Carney as Elizabeth, the housekeeper. She is loyal to Bella and wants to protect her from the evils that lurk in the house. It’s difficult, not to chuckle every time she is on stage. Just her looks, can bring a chuckle. Yours truly has never seen her at this level of excellence.
The production lasts a good two hours and toward the end of Act I, the tide seems to be turning for Jack as Bella begins to see the light and plays along with Jack.
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| Brittany Bellizeare and Travis Van Winkle |
In the second act, turnabout is fair play and Bella is her own rescuer and plays Jack like a drum but he’s too dense and otherwise occupied to get her drift. Of the four characters, Jack is the weakest link (the only male) while the two playwrights keep Bella and the women at the center of the action.
Nicole Jescinth Smith’s elegant early century costumes are impeccable for the woman of the house, Jacks neat attire and the servant’s outfits are neatly in place.
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| Maggie Carney and Kennedy Tolson |
Bryan Ealey’s lighting, especially the working gas lamps along with Paige Hathaway’s scenic design make it all the more authentic. Fritz Patton designed the original music and sound design and
Andrea Caban was dialect coach.
Gas Light is the perfect adaptation for a stage revision especially under the expert direction of Ms. Sonnenberg.
Overall, I would give this production a two thumbs up.
Enjoy. See you at the theater.
When: Runs through Sept. 14th 7: p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays
Where: Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego
Photo: Jim Cox
Tickets: $47 and up
Phone: 619-234-5623
Online: theoldglobe.org
