Laughter came frequently across the room as City College’s Theatre Group previewed its new performance “Arms and the Man”, showcased on Oct. 8 at the Garvin Theater.
Set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war, the play follows the story of the main character Raina Petkoff. Petkoff is torn between choosing her fiancé Sergius Saranoff or the charismatic Captain Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary.
Romantic comedies are my favorite type of genre and with the runtime being two hours and 15 minutes it gave ample time for the plot to wonderfully play out. All of the scenes didn’t feel rushed and were well-developed.
I was immediately captivated by the opening scene as it portrayed Raina, played by Charlotte Hecker, looking out her balcony window as snow fell. It gave context into what season this story takes place in.
Nik Valinsky, in his role as Major Sergius Saranoff, carried out his famous one liner “I don’t apologize” in the production that was repeated several times. The timing of the delivery had a comical reaction from the audience, including me. It added to the comedic aspect of this adaptation of the original.
Director Jonathan Fox orchestrated accuracy by connecting themes of sophistication and humor simultaneously through the use of witty speech. With Fox’s direction each person demonstrated their unique but distinct personalities that had memorable moments.
Hecker did an excellent job at embodying a frightened yet curious stance when it came to navigating different dynamics, creating a realistic feeling that allowed the audience to be present and invested in the storyline.
Isabel Watson captured the essence of Louka’s demeanor by seamlessly executing boldness during discussions with the other characters that shaped her own character development throughout the story. Watson’s opinionated statements led to emotional breakthroughs that played an influential role in her relationship with everybody.
The tech team magnified the experience by adding in sound effects only when necessary. For instance, gunshot noises were utilized to build up intensity and anticipation for the viewer, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.
Visually speaking, I appreciated the warm ambiance in act one as it supported the main idea of love. In act two the props were of cooler tones, forming a contrast that strikes significance in the complexity of intimacy in relations. The stage lights were brighter in the second act compared to the first one.
This stark dissimilarity was a bit blinding at first but paved the way for a better observation of the sheer thought that was put into the production.
For the costume setup the outfits complemented the backdrop for each scene which I thought was a highly appropriate and sensible choice by the costume designer. Everything felt intentional in terms of setting the scene.
Cobblestone ledges and a vibrant variety of flowers were purposely placed in a horizontal array, instantly grabbing my attention.
If you’re searching for a compelling romantic comedy that sheds light on the role of gender in warfare and heroism, buy your tickets while the performance lasts.
“Arms and the Man” runs Oct. 10 to Oct. 25 at the Garvin Theater.
