Period piece

Talk about your very nearly perfect match.

The Heiress is a well-written historical play with strong literary roots—based on Henry James’ 1881 novel Washington Square—staged in the stately ambience of the gloriously restored Woodland Opera House, built in 1896, the one genuine “silk purse” among the Sacramento region’s theatrical venues.

Add some strong acting talent—most especially Jack Lynn, who’s been on stage for 65 years, taught at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and worked alongside British and American greats. And Miriam Gray, a veteran of dozens of shows in Sacramento through the decades. Also, Gillen Morrison, who does the “ardent young lover” better than anyone in town. And last, but not least, Katie Valdivia as the sheltered young woman at the center of the story.

Top things off with a gorgeous set (Don Zastoupil, whose work is always a strong point in Woodland), elaborate period costumes (Laurie Everly-Klassen), and direction (Lydia Venables) that doesn’t let the literary source get in the way of a passionate tale of family conflict and frustrated love.

Truth be told, the script is not pure James: playwrights Augustus and Ruth Goetz have telescoped down the novel’s time frame by at least a decade, and turned up the heat in the love scenes (as a number of filmmakers have done in James adaptations). This script served as a springboard for the 1949 film of the same title by William Wyler (an award winner in its day, but that’s another tale).

It’s a tale of polite society and well-mannered, affluent, cultured people who talk about their trips to Europe, and the fashions they brought back from France. The setting is the well-appointed living room of a wealthy New York doctor, whose only child is a shy, retiring young woman of marriageable age. It’s all about courtship, and the question of control, as the iron-willed father does his best to discourage a handsome, courteous (yet somehow faintly predatory) suitor—both men claiming that they have the young heiress’ best interests at heart.

It’s a lovely evening, all the way around—one of those shows where everything comes together, and three hours seem to pass in a flash.