What a delightful "gem" from the past. "Rain" by John Colton and Clemence Randolph (originally adapted from the story "Miss Thompson" by Somerset Maugham) was showcased at the Hudson Guild Theatre in Chelsea from July 9th through July 18th, 2010.
This work was pregnant with all sorts of subtleties, innuendos, sublimations, and "apparent realities", making it difficult to assess at what point in the characters' lives these "shortcomings" begin to invade their lives. By the time Miss Sadie Thompson and the rest of the characters arrive to Pago Pago, located in the South Seas, the stage has already been set.
In watching this story unfold, one gets the haunting sense that fate has chosen these people to "play out" a much needed "cleaning" of their subconscious. Perhaps the "rain" in an allegorical sense represents the "solvent" or "catalyst" in which these lusts, secret desires, and hidden and forbidden passions can finally be dealt with and abashed.
Sadie Thompson (played by Gloria Sauve), whom we know nothing about personally, other than the fact she seemed to be a "good times" girl with an equally "questionable" past, comes across likeable, innocent, and willing not to "rock the boat". Her second class status on the ship coming to Pago Pago indicated that she didn't have much money and was down on her luck-only able to afford a dollar a day at Joe and Ameena Horn's (played by Ward Nixon and Laura E. Johnston) harbor dock hotel (a temporary "in between voyages" hostel). But pretty soon Miss Thompson's sunny disposition upsets Mrs. Alfred Davidson (played by Cookie Windborn), a rather prudish, inhibited minister's wife, who, along with her husband, Reverend Alfred Davidson (played by L.B. Williams) also take dock in Pago Pago. It is in this remote island in the South Seas, that Miss Sadie Thompson fancies the attention of a young and handsome Sergeant O'Hara (played by Ken Bolander). They quickly hit it off, but unfortunately their attraction becomes usurped by the intruding and calculating Reverend Davidson who stops at nothing in seeing to it that not only she be deported from the island, but arrested for fleeing a crime in the States which currently awaits resolution. She is labeled an "evil-aye". A woman of the night. And is treated with contempt by the Reverend and his wife.
Of course, these conflicts were not easily observable by the audience ( who is taken on an emotional roller coaster ride-albeit unseemingly) due to the active and overlapping interplay of the other characters. This kept the first act, witty, edgy, and warmly funny. But as the story progresses-particularly into act two and three, the comic humor takes a somber turn with surprising "shockers".
Along with Miss Thompson and the Davidsons, a second couple arrives with them to the island paradise; Dr. and Mrs. MacPhail (played by Grant Machan and Susan Case). The MacPhails do not directly interact with Miss Thompson, neither due the Davidsons-condemning her for her chosen lifestyle-more so the ladies in particular. But one gets the sense that the MacPhails are not as perfect as they would like to come across. Dr. MacPhail hides behind a vial of arrogance and pomposity that only a well educated doctor of the twenties can allow. While his wife, Mrs. MacPhail, obviously inhibited as well, joins forces with Mrs. Davidson and both assume a guise of "virtue and prudence", simultaneously launching a social attack against Ms.Thompson as the "supposed" sinner.
The rest of the cast consisted of the island natives (played by Emory Porter, Tiana Newkirk, and F. Prud'homme) and military servicemen Corporal Hodgson (played by Larry Stephen Hines), Private Griggs (played by Fred. T. Milani) and Quartermaster Bates (played by Roger Fawcett) who assumed neutral roles relative to the conflict that Miss Thompson finds herself. However it isn't long before the apparent tension turns into a confrontation which eventually leads to a dramatic climax involving deception, subterfuge, and finally, tragedy.
Gloria Sauve, a veteran stage actress, among her many other film and commercial credits, did an excellent job portraying the fun loving, but elusive, Sadie Thompson. The audience loved her and-at every performance showered the actress with exuberant applause and cheer.
Equally great was the performance of L.B. Williams as Reverend Alfred Davidson, whose methodical acting and style lend to a consistent character representation of a repressed, and morally torn man, who eventually takes his own life (the audience never saw that coming!) A job well done.
The conflicts and tensions are progressively revealed throughout the story. The audience's reaction is subtle and humorous. This was due to the comic relief that veteran actors like Cookie Winborn, whose sharp and condecending witt appears more musing than threatening, and Rodger Fawcett, with his comical facial expressions and comedic timing always erupted in laughter from the audience (and the cast off stage)
Director Scott Robinson has done a genius of a job mounting this colorful production with a variety of talented, culturally diverse actors committed to bringing this body of work to a whole new level.
The Set Design (W. Haley Ho) has done a remarkable job along with the lighting designer (Brian Henderson). Both artists have succeeded in setting the "mood" and "atmosphere" of the South Seas, along with the visual and sound effects achieved by the technical director (Steve Esposito).
The sense of having traveled through a "time warp" definitely permeated the entire "aura" of this production. And that would not have been possible without the impact of the costume design by Maureen Eadie, whose flair and style of the twenties was beautifully captured-including the lava lava costumes of the Samoan natives!
Special thanks to Tracy Howard (property Mistress) and David Mikofsky (master carpenter) for their consistent vigilance to detail, and timely assistance to the performers. And of course, last, but definitely not least, is the stage manager (Katie Barnhard) who was a 'pal', a 'mother hen' and a 'ballbuster' who kept the production running smoothly and professionally.
Actors' Equity has done it again, producing a fabulous showcase. We hope to see more showcase revivals like this one for years to come. Thank you!
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