Pear Avenue Theatre Presents ARCADIA, Now thru 7/12

The Pear Avenue Theatre closes its 13th season on a high note, reprising a show that was one of our biggest hits-the contemporary classic, ARCADIA, by Tom Stoppard. Acclaimed as the greatest play in the English language next to Shakespeare, the play continues to enthrall audiences more than two decades after its opening in 1993. Directed by Pear veteran Jeanie Smith, the production runs tonight, June 19 through July 12, 2015. (No show July 4; added performance July 1)

ARCADIA begins in 1809 on the estate of Sidley Park, where the garden is undergoing renovation to update it to the Gothic style, despite Lady Croom's objections. Septimus, tutor to the Crooms' daughter Thomasina, is embroiled in sexual triangles and intrigue by turns amusing and deadly with guests on the estate, including Lady Croom's brother, Captain Brice, and erstwhile poet Ezra Chater and Mrs. Chater. Alternating, and sometimes overlapping, scenes take place 200 years later, as modern-day scholars Hannah Jarvis and Bernard Nightingale attempt to uncover the truth of what occurred two centuries before, through archeology and research. The evidence, in papers, drawings, letters, and gamebooks, gives spotty information, and the scholars, joined by mathematician Valentine, can only guess-sometimes rightly, often wrongly-at the events we get to observe in the Regency period scenes.

Much hinges on whether or not the famous poet Lord Byron ever appeared at Sidley Park-he is never seen, but is much spoken of in both past and present-day scenes. His poetic genius is potentially surpassed by the young Thomasina, whose notebooks hold extraordinary evidence of her forward-thinking theories. As the past unfolds, and scholars dig away at slim findings to piece together their own theories, we witness true revelations of greater mysteries-- of the heart. Stoppard's breath-taking intellectual demonstrations give way to odes to life and love, bringing us to poignant and melancholy resolution in both centuries.

As funny as it is brilliant, ARCADIA takes us on a heady roller-coaster ride across time and intellect, fueled by passion and sparkling with Stoppard's signature wit. A recent Broadway revival was hailed for its "thrilling energy that flows across the centuries and reminds us that intellectual and erotic magnetism are not mutually exclusive." (NY Times, Mar.27, 2011)

Director Jeanie K. Smith has directed numerous shows at the Pear Avenue Theatre, including House and Garden earlier this season. She also directed The Tempest, Hay Fever, Metamorphoses, Cherry Orchard, Angels in America: Millenium Approaches, Night of the Iguana, Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Familiar Strangers, The Seagull, and Three Sisters, among others. Elsewhere, Smith directed Harvey, God of Carnage, Boeing Boeing, Perfect Wedding, Light in the Piazza, Noises Off, and Private Lives for Palo Alto Players; House of Blue Leaves, The Clean House, and Bus Stop for Bus Barn Stage; Romeo & Juliet for Shady Shakespeare; and Rx and Streetcar Named Desire at the Dragon Theatre. Smith holds a Ph.D. in Drama from U. of Washington, is resident Dramaturg for The Pear, reviews theatre for the Palo Alto Weekly, and is a member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle.

Featured in the production are Diane Tasca, The Pear's Artistic Director, reprising her role as Lady Croom; Robert Sean Campbell as the tutor, Septimus Hodge; Monica Ammerman as Lady Croom's daughter Thomasina Coverly; Charles McKeithan as Captain Edward Brice; Brian Flegel as poet Ezra Chater; Betsy Kruse Craig as Hannah Jarvis; Dan Kapler as Bernard Nightingale; Michael Rhone as mathematician Valentine Coverly; Roneet Aliza Rahamim as his sister, Chloe Coverly; Jason Pollak spans both eras as Augustus and Gus Coverly; and Nicolae Muntean plays both the butler Jellaby and the landscape architect Mr. Noakes. Monica Cappuccini understudies Lady Croom and will perform the role July 1, 2, 3, and 5.

The production team includes: Jeanie K. Smith, director; Janny Cote, scenic design; Ben Hemmen, lighting design; Anna Chase, costumes; Gordon Smith on sound design; Miranda Whipple for properties design; and Dianne Vega, stage management.

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