Out with ACT: Major Barbara

In cooperation with Canadian Theatre Calgary, ACT has staged an engaging production of George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara. In the titular role, Gretchen Hall (extensive stage and television credits) makes her ACT debut and does so with a strong and engrossing performance. She manages to straddle the prim and purposeful mission of Barbara with her generosity of spirit and genuine familial affection, and carries the the narrative with great strides. The academic banter between her, her betrothed (played by Nicholas Pelczar) and her father (played by Dean Paul Gibson) is lively and well-timed and much fun, but maybe more fun for me as that's kind of my thing. The interplay of the three ideologues—missionary daughter, infatuated academic, and weapons-manufacturing patriarch—is wonderfully accomplished by these actors, and the supporting cast rises more to the level of ensemble as they light up each of their lines in turn. The show is superbly acted all around. And as always for ACT, a second round of applause for the wig mistress, costumer, and set designer. All well played.


Kandis Chappell as Lady Britomart Undershaft may not "steal" the show per se, but only because you are gladly giving up your wallet and cell phone for just one more of her officious lines and stern looks. Love her. While Elyse Price may play a smaller role as "the other sister" Sarah Undershaft, she shines with every line. The men about the house round out the family charm with a comic brightness and plenty of handsome.

Seriously:


(Later, I was slightly abashed about my familiarity with young Stafford Perry, until I noted his recent, scantily-clad role as "Harrianus Testosteronus.")

As the "ACT's Favorite Gays," we were given the challenge discovering "the one gay actor." We were barking loudly up the wrong trees until our new friend paused our introductions with, "Honey, I need to get some chocolate and I'll be right back." New best friend.

The Out with ACT nights give us a wonderful opportunity to meet the cast and discuss the production, theater life, and an actor's view of San Francisco. One last hand to Randy Taradash for always putting together such an engaging night Out at ACT.