by Claire DeMarco
What could be better than a Victorian mystery!
The Pittsburgh Savoyards open their 88th season with this adaptation of Wilkie Collins’ classic favorite.
There is enough deception, mistaken identify and suspense to satisfy mystery lovers everywhere.
Walter Hartwright (Jaron Carlson) meets a woman in white late at night who obviously needs help but rejects it from Hartwright when it is offered. She appears sporadically throughout the play to various characters.
Artist Hartwright is hired by Frederick Fairlie (Phillip Hayes) to educate Marian Halcombe (Carly Chotiner) and Laura Fairlie (Nicole Brady), Frederick’s niece.
After a short period of time at the Fairlie’s, Hartwright falls for Laura and she for him. However, Laura is engaged to Sir Percival Glyde (Todd Foose). Hartwright sadly leaves his employment, heading for parts unknown and Laura reluctantly accepts her fate.
Note: This novel was written in the Victorian era where women did not have the freedom concerning marriage nor their financial independence.
Glyde and Laura marry but before they do, the woman in white appears again, indicating that she has a secret concerning Glyde.
After the marriage the seemingly placid Glyde becomes a dominating bully intent on securing Laura’s money.
Enter Count and Countess Fosco (Elliott O’Brien and Kathryn Morosky). Under the guise of supporting Laura, it soon becomes apparent that they are aligned with Glyde. They aid in his control of his wife’s finances.
Another leg to this mystery is introduced. It’s thought that Jane Catherick (Tamara Marlise Manzetti) knows the secret behind Glyde. One thing that we do know is her disdain for her daughter Anne Catherick (Kira Varela).
Note: Throughout the play pre-recorded voice-overs by some of the characters relay narratives from their perspective. All the different narratives appear disjointed, but they all blend together successfully at the end.
How is the mystery resolved? How do all the pieces finally fit together?
And who is the woman in white? Do we find out if there are any secrets about Glyde?
You’ll just have to see the play to find out!
Note: Act One pre-recordings were hard to hear but in Act Two and Three, the audio was magnified.
Chotiner is outstanding as the supportive sister. With a flawless English accent, she radiates strength for a woman in that time period, determined to speak her mind at the risk of censure.
Quiet but determined describes Carlson as the lovestruck art instructor.
Chotiner along with Carlson work well together as the two characters out for justice for Laura against the evil doings of Glyde and Count Fosco.
Portraying his character initially as a sweet talker and seemingly tranquil, Foose dramatically transforms into an angry, belligerent, evil man.
As Marian’s half-sister, Brady develops her character from a quiet, subordinate woman to one who finally rises to the occasion and speaks her mind.
Smooth talking O’Brien entices as Laura’s supporter. When the mask is removed, he exposes his real persona through facial expressions and angry discourse.
Hayes delights as the always complaining Uncle who is exhausted without doing anything.
Tamara Marlise Manzetti’s performance as Jane Catherick scores as the epitome of a sharp, mean and utterly horrible human being.
First published in 1860, “The Woman in White” by Wilkie Collins is considered a classic. It was cleverly adapted and directed for this production by Robert Hockenberry.
It’s always amazing how much detail and thoughtfulness the Pittsburgh Savoyards put into their sets considering the limited space at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center. Bravo!
-CED
“The Woman in White” runs from July 11th to July 26th at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center, Carnegie Stage, 523 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue, PA. 15202. For tickets and additional information, click here.
