review - ARMS AND THE MAN - Grand Canyon University

Micah Larson, Christian Bradford, Julia Jones, Alex Cavanaugh, and McKenna Kollman
photo by Tim Trumble

by Carolyn Thomas

Grand Canyon University's Arms and the Man is a playful take on a witty romp from the late 1800s that absolutely retains its charm over a century after its debut. Jeff Thomson's revolving set is a star in its own right, and with standout performances from Julia Jones and Christian Bradford among others, GCU's production makes for a fun, light-hearted experience. In an ensemble of seven, two actors truly take the comedic cake and earn constant laughs from a rightfully warm audience.

Written by George Bernard Shaw and first produced in 1894, Arms and the Man is a comedy centered around the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war. It focuses on the well-to-do Petkoff family, particularly the bright-eyed Raina who is engaged to war hero Sergius Saranoff. Confronted with a Serbian soldier on the run, Raina gives him shelter, but his cynical perspective on war threatens to shatter her idealistic view of the valiant soldiers she's always pictured. As the gallant Sergius returns from war and hidden truths come to light, chaos ensues, much to the audience's delight. It's less of a love triangle and more of a love rectangle, with affections shifting across the board as romantic ideals shatter and true emotions rise to the surface.

In terms of comedic flair, Julia Jones positively shines as Catherine Petkoff. She works the stage with an undeniable presence and brings such a life to Catherine that is hilarious and believable at every moment. Christian Bradford's take on larger-than-life Sergius is precisely what the character needs. He's boisterous and bellowing in all the right ways, his characterization somewhere between Gaston and Captain Morgan in physicality and comic flair that's entirely his own. The roles of Catherine and Sergius couldn't have been more perfectly cast. Mckenna Kollman shows a bold naivete in Raina, charming and likable from the very beginning, though closer to the end there were moments where we lose Raina's vulnerability, an element that could have pulled the audience in even deeper. Still, Kollman's Raina is quite well done and certainly a performance to be proud of.

Michal Larsen as Man (Bluntchli) is rightfully standoffish at first, though Larsen's sensitivity in the role quickly makes his character an audience favorite. Ryan Ardelt as the servant Nicola excels with his comedic timing, making a steadfast and predictable counterpart to Rachel Schumacher's Louka. Louka's character is feisty and fresh, though Schumacher's guarded performance doesn't quite live up to Louka's liveliness. As the Petkoff patriarch, Alexander Cavanaugh brings a bumbling, warm-hearted humor to his role.

Director Claude Pensis takes advantage of several opportunities for physical comedy through the production and his overall vision for the play makes for a cohesive, enjoyable experience. A few comic choices were a little distracting, but overall every laugh was well-earned. The attention to detail in marrying the different design elements into the performances does well to keep the audience in the moment.

Scenic Designer Jeff Thomson's revolving stage features a perfectly peaked roof and both homey interiors and charming exteriors on alternating sides. It makes for smooth transitions and evocative scenery to bring everyone straight into the Bulgarian Petkoff household. Lighting design by Devin Erwert takes us through a candle-lit bedroom at night to a cheery morning breakfast on the terrace and beyond. One challenge that Erwert's design tackles particularly well is the believable lighting and blowing out of 'candles' on stage, a rare find in my experience. Jay Nguyen's costumes are exquisite and take us right into the 1800s in Bulgaria. Every detail is accounted for, and each character's is all but worn on their sleeve in the best way. Hair and Makeup by Elise Nawrocki complements Nguyen's designs with cascading curls and glorious mustaches. Sound design by Morgan McCall is well done and blends seamlessly into the production.

All in all, the design elements in Grand Canyon University's Arms and the Man bring the audience on a jaunty journey to Bulgaria in the 1800s, and the actors bring it to life with laughs to spare. Arms and the Man makes for a delightful show that makes you think, laugh, and think again, with only a few areas for improvement.

CLICK HERE for more information on this production, which runs through October 13