PTC?s The Heiress: A Common Period Piece
From undertones of racism in Paint Your Wagon and bigotry in The Foreigner to broad connotations of pedophilia in Doubt and terrorism in The Vertical Hour, Pioneer Theatre Company had marked the 2007-08 season with a string of extravagant and heavy productions full of dark political and social subject matter.
In continuation, PTC’s current drama The Heiress addresses feminism in pre-Civil War New York. Dr. Austin Sloper, a staunch aristocrat and single father, whose animosity for his only daughter Catherine leads to a harsh domestic dispute when she announces her engagement to a mere stranger. The storyline is all too customary: A homely, “dull” girl quickly succumbs to the charisma and charm of a handsome, but utterly poor man with questionable intentions.
Catherine’s (Effie Johnson) insecurities lead her in making rash decisions and lame excuses in regard to an unemployed grifter, Morris Townsend (Alex Podulke), who has professed immediate affection for her. But Morris’ true intentions are questioned by Catherine’s father (Thomas Carson), and his indignant response to the couple’s unification leads to a threat of disinheritance. Catherine’s plight is compounded by Morris’ indelicate disappearing act and her aunt Lavinia’s (Libby George) matriarchal persistence to basically ‘take what she can get.’
Supported by a competent cast including Cheryl Gaysunas, Cecelia Riddett, Thomas Marcus, Anne Bowles and Colleen Baum, and the intuitive set design/changes (i.e., the character of the maid arranging the scene by placing a potted plant in front of the fireplace representing the seasonal change to summer), the PTC production identifies good theatre.
Yet the historical significance of feminism – at least in this play written by Augustus and Ruth Goetz, may have run its course. The assumption of a clueless woman easily subdued by a characterless man in today’s world is mute. There is little to relate to in Catherine or even honestly admire, albeit she finally packs a wallop. The playwright’s do however leave an interesting question hanging in the air about Morris’ reasoning behind his disappearance.
This intriguing question, however, does not mold the otherwise flat story.
Pioneer Theatre Company is forefront in offering provocative theatre, no doubt, but maybe the 2008-09 season will bring a bit more airiness.
The Heiress is currently playing through March 29 at Pioneer Theatre, 300 S. 1400 East, UofU. Tickets $21-39, call 581-6961 or visit pioneertheatre.org.