by George Bernard Shaw
directed & designed by Tony Walton
November 15, 1997 – January 4, 1998
The story concerns an idealistic young woman, Barbara Undershaft, who is engaged in helping the poor as a Major in the Salvation Army in London. For many years Barbara and her siblings have been estranged from their father, Andrew Undershaft, who now reappears as a rich and successful munitions maker. Undershaft, the father, gives money to the Salvation Army, which offends Major Barbara, who does not want to be connected to his “tainted” wealth. However, the father argues that poverty is a worse problem than munitions, and claims that he is doing more to help society by giving his workers jobs and a steady income than Major Barbara is doing to help them by giving them bread and soup. This 1905 play was written before society had fully experienced the vast human cost exacted by industrially produced weapons in modern warfare, as would subsequently be the case in World Wars I and II.
- Drama League Nom., “Best Actress” – Melissa Errico
“incisive talk and brilliant ideas” –Star Ledger
“marvelously inventive…intelligent & pointed.’ –New York Post
Creative Team:
Lighting: Kirk Bookman
Sound: Randy Freed
Fight Director: B.H. Barry
Stage Manager: Elizabeth Larson
Associate Set Design: Klara Zieglerova
Hair: Robert-Charles Vallance
Associate Costume Design: Rachel Gruer