“The stage is a magic circle where only the most real things happen,” said American author P.S. Baber. If this is true, then reality is about to become even more magical when “Bell, Book, and Candle” opens tonight at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu.
Directed by Dick Hershberger, this award-winning romantic comedy about love and witchcraft is set in the 1960s. It takes place during the holiday season in the eclectic New York apartment of Gillian Holroyd (Dawn Blankenship), a beautiful young witch. She’s not exactly a good witch like Glenda from “Wizard of Oz,” nor is she a bad witch like the one Dorothy crushed with a house. Gillian is a confident, yet seductive witch who considers herself a decent and moral being.
The original play by John van Druten opened in 1950 and starred Rex Harrison and Lili Palmer. It was adapted for the big screen in 1958 and starred James Stewart and Kim Novak.
“Bell, Book, and Candle” is at first glance a lightweight comedy in which love conquers all. Yet ultimately, it’s a recognition of the human condition, and all of the untidy chaos that ensues as a result.
“True love always overcomes the obstacles,” said Hershberger. “What we’re presenting is a very lovely story about romance. There’s nothing like live theatre. I like what the actors are doing and how the story is coming together. There’s some nice little twists and changes that I think the audience will really enjoy. When you get to the point where you find someone who stirs your emotions to a really high level, there’s nothing more magical than that.”
The play’s main protagonist, Gillian Holroyd, begins to admire her handsome upstairs neighbor, Shepherd Henderson (Nick Kern), when she learns he is engaged to an old college enemy of hers. Despite the witch community’s superstition that falling in love will destroy one’s magical powers, she takes revenge by casting a spell on her attractive neighbor and eventually falls for him herself. As the spells are cast, romance, loyalty and betrayal are magically entwined, and hilarity ensues.
“Gillian is a modern witch,” said Blankenship who plays the lead role. “She’s very confident and feels very in control of her world. She’s not used to having things that she can’t control, so she gets a little off-kilter when things don’t go her way. It’s a good love story, but it also has a lot of funny things in it.”
The phrase “Bell, Book and Candle” refers to a method of excommunication which was once imposed on someone who had committed a particularly heinous sin. The ritual opened with “Ring the bell, open the book, light the candle,” and closed with “Ring the bell, close the book, quench the candle.”
“Bell, Book and Candle” is not performed often, but the concept of an attractive, magical being falling for a mortal human is quite common in popular culture. From the 1970’s sitcom “Bewitched” to the contemporary stories of “Twilight” and “Harry Potter,” it’s a theme audiences are familiar with.
“The characters are all well-defined, like the the crazy aunt, the silly brother and the uptight guy who the witch thinks she’s in control of,” said Blankenship. “Then there’s the book writer character who thinks he knows everything about witchcraft, but doesn’t. You can watch the love story happen, but at the same time all of these ridiculous other things go on with the witchcraft. It’s very entertaining and fun.”
Van Druten makes it clear that witches can’t feel pain or love – all of these are reserved for human beings. Gillian must decide if this is the kind of world she wants to live in. “Bell, Book, and Candle” shows us that being mortal is being able to embrace the messiness of the human condition. It shows the audience that with good also comes bad, and that loving and being loved is what makes life worth living.
Gillian’s feline companion, Pyewacket, is played by Mia Kriebl-Bruno, also recently seen in “Jekyll & Hyde,” as Nellie. The role of Gillian’s mischievous warlock brother, Nicky, is taken by newcomer John Victor Ribeiro, and their often befuddled Aunt Queenie is played by Aloha Theatre veteran Catherine Williams. The eccentric author Sidney Redlitch is portrayed by Bob Haber, last seen as Katz in APAC’s “The Hot l Baltimore.” Designers include boB Gage, lighting; Gerald Lucena, set; Paula Cornwell, costumes and props; and Sage Hecht, sound. Gill Pecceu is technical director, Terry Ann Fujioka is stage manager, and producers are Arlene Araki and Jeannie Kutsunai.
“Bell, Book and Candle” opens today and runs through Dec. 21. Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at alohatheatre.com, or at the theater box office beginning one hour before show time. For tickets or more information, call 322-9924.