“The Eccentricities of a Nightingale” was Tennessee Williams’ effort to improve on his “Summer and Smoke.” A lot of ink has been spilled over which play is better, but it really doesn’t matter. Although “Eccentricities” shares some of the characters of its predecessor, it’s a thoroughly different drama and its rich symbolism deserves to be appreciated on its own merits.
“Eccentricities,” currently on view at the American Century Theatre, begins in 1915 in Glorious Hill, Miss. It’s an examination of the culture of a small Southern town and of two people who grow up there: John Buchanan goes off to Johns Hopkins University and becomes a doctor; Alma Winemiller stays at home with her strict pastor father and addle-brained mother and teaches singing.
It’s a perfect situation for Tennessee Williams to work his poetic magic, not simply to show Alma shedding her spinsterish exterior or John breaking free from his smothering mother, but to expose the depth and complexities of those characters.
Vanessa Bradchulis is excellent in the role of Alma, a demanding role that calls for a huge array of emotions and a complete turnaround of character. Michael Sherman is impressive as the young doctor, a complicated character, practical and intense but open to Alma’s particular appeal. Mick Tinder and Carol Randolph are fine as Alma’s parents.
Director Steven Scott Mazzola neatly plays up the humor embedded in Williams’ smaller roles: John’s overprotective mother (Mary-Anne Sullivan) and the unsophisticated members of Alma’s “culture” group, including the nervous Vernon (Daniel Steinberg), the busybody Mrs. Bassett (Anne Paine West) and the insecure Rosemary (Mary Millben).
Mazzola uses music effectively. Millben, a gifted singer as well as actress, appears between scenes as the Doppelganger, singing Mariano Vales’ enchanting songs. Elizabeth McFadden’s set is impressive, with its fountain of the angel Eternity and its gazebo. Jennifer Tardiff’s costumes are beautifully crafted period pieces. Williams relies on many symbolic references to light in this play: fireworks, firelight. Ayun Fedorcha’s lighting design nicely illustrates the way Williams’ characters continually step out of life’s bright glare and into the shadows.
‘The Eccentricities of a Nightingale’
By Tennessee Williams
Through April 26
» Venue: Gunston Theatre II, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington
» Performances: 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday; 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
» Tickets: $26 to $29
» More info: 703-998-4555, www.americancentury.org
