The Heiress

Last night a friend invited me to go to the Jungle Theater to see "The Heiress."  What a play!  The year is 1850.  So this is 3 years before Minnesota became a state and around the time of the civil war.  Gas is piped into the walls to light the lamps.  Servants are sent across town to deliver messages in carriages pulled by horses.  The Heiress is named Catherine and she lives with her father.  Her suitor - is he truly in love with her or is he a scoundrel?  Her father - does he have her best interests at heart or is he punishing her for the death of her mother in childbirth?  The actress who plays Catherine does a really fine job emoting shyness, sudden realization of the truths, and cold, calculating emotional detachment.  The overall tone of the play is sad but there are many funny moments.  The emotional dynamics between the players is what fascinated me the most.  As Catherine's eyes open and her mind absorbs the truth of the motivations of the people near and dear to her, she changes.  She changes a lot.  She is not the same character at all.  Also fun were the costumes.  Oh, the dresses were so lovely.  The men looked nice in their breeches, long coats and top hats.  The scenery was nice- the parlor of a wealthy home on Washington Square.  Every act takes place in the parlor and it's just the time and people who change.  The Jungle Theater is actually smaller than the theater in Anoka.  The theater itself is worth a visit because the lobby is very plush and decorated art deco style.  I definitely want to return to this theater again.