This is a story about sense and sensibility, love and loss, frailty and strength.
Saint Louis University Theatre presents The Heiress, a coming of age drama based on Ruth and Augustus Goetz’s adaptation of the Henry James novel, Washington Square.
Directed by Gary Wayne Barker, The Heiress bears the all-too-familiar themes of love, deception and lost innocence. Set in 1850s New York, the play revolves around Catherine Sloper, a shy and socially inept young woman who falls for the handsome, likeable but impoverished Morris Townsend. Although Catherine is nervous and distant at first, Morris successfully wheedles out her affections for him.
They declare their love for each other and decide to get married. Catherine’s father, Dr. Austin Sloper, distrusts Morris’ intentions. Believing that he is only after her money, he threatens to disinherit her. As the scenes play out, you wonder: Is he really after her hand or her inheritance? Is she going to be ruled by her father, or be ruled by her heart?
As usual, SLU Theatre never fails to deliver the best. The story and performances pull at heartstrings yet also manage to tickle the audience with touches of lighthearted humor.
The scenes unfold in the front parlor of Dr. Sloper’s house, which glows in 18th century opulence. The stage is furnished with detailed pieces that lend realism to the play: Big, mahogany doors on one side, a wooden staircase on another, lush draperies and a decanter of brandy off to one side. Realistic costumes also deserve mention: the men walk regally in their elegant suits while women swirl around in big, ruffled dresses with fluffed-up hairstyles.
While the actors seem lackluster at first, this is only a slight falter in their otherwise brilliant performances. Katy Vogt is delightful as Lavinia Penniman, Catherine’s spinster aunt whose high-pitched, cheery demeanor lends to the play’s occasional wit and humor. Although her character vacillates between being supportive and discouraging of Morris, she seems to be sincere with Catherine.
James Malone gives a solid performance as Dr. Austin Sloper, Catherine’s overprotective and sometimes tyrannical father. A man of great expectations, he tries to discourage his daughter any way possible, which includes degrading her already downtrodden confidence. Malone effectively manages to be stern yet sincere in his intentions. He exudes maturity at every turn and shines in his dramatic scenes.
Robert Thibaut charms the audience as the opportunistic Morris Townsend, whose role ranges from witty and candid to bold and romantic. He confidently saunters on to the stage and pulls off his act with flair.
Louise Hung deserves mention for her small but notable performance as Morris’ widowed sister, Mrs. Montgomery. Hung portrays Mrs. Montgomery as a woman of independence and integrity. When pressed by Dr. Sloper to discourage Catherine from pursuing the marriage, Mrs. Montgomery refuses, saying she wouldn’t say anything to make her more unloved that she already feels.
The stage, however, belongs to J. Nicole Lewer as Catherine Sloper, who successfully pulls off a character metamorphosis in this two-act play. She undergoes a convincing transformation from stuttering naivet? to a woman of maturity, sophistication and even bitterness.
It is easy to sympathize with her character, whose hunger for affection would naturally lead her to gravitate towards Morris.
For Lewer’s Catherine, her inherited blessing is also her curse, for she might never come to know of love without those strings attached.
Other cast members include Amy Holland Pennell as Elizabeth Almond, Jason Garrison as Arthur Townsend, Bethany Umbach as Marian Almond and Katy Willis as the Sloper’s servant, Moira.
Overall, this play boasts a pool of talented individuals acting out a compelling story. SLU Theatre successfully pulls off this subtle tragedy that speaks volumes about social predispositions in the 18th century. It is a story where money and love are indistinguishable, marriage is a commodity and independence has a price.
The Heiress runs at 8:00 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16 at the Saint Louis University Theatre in Xavier Hall. Ticket prices range from $6 to $9. For more information, call 977-3327.
