Arts community pools resources in The Belfry’s newest production
For his second show as director, Jeff Bick is making Bell, Book and Candle a special experience for audience – with the help of local entertainers.
“There’s more lights, sounds and special effects – illusions on a live stage,” he said.
The play was turned into the 1958 movie with the same title starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak.
“It was a famous movie. The last movie Stewart had a love interest because he felt so uncomfortable with an actress 20 years younger than him,” Bick said. “The idea, we believe, triggered Bewitched.”
In the show, a talented witch cast a love spell on her neighbor and starts experiencing feelings for him. Magic literally brought them together, but will he still love her, or even want to be with her, if she cancels the spell?
“It’s a romantic comedy with a lot of magic thrown in,” Bick said. “I like it because I like romantic comedies and I like magic. There’s a lot in it for me. It’s been fun figuring out how to get the magic on stage.”
The show was previously performed at The Belfry in 1984.
“We like the idea of playing up the Valentine’s Day aspect. We think this is a great place to come for a Valentine’s night out,” Bick said.
The magic
To create additional special effects on stage, Bick turned to David Melton, a stage hand for Klipsch Music Center and a tech team member at Beef & Boards Dinner Theater.
“I started getting involved at the local level before I started getting paid to do them,” Melton said. “I wanted to give back to the community.”
To assist with creating the additional special effects, Beef & Boards has let lighting equipment and local resident Charlie McMillian, Jr. has provided some of his music equipment.
“The biggest challenge for me was two find ways to make it look like magic but without it breaking the budget and not making it look cheesy. That’s two ends of the spectrum,” Melton said. “It’s surprising some of the common things you can do. A silk handkerchief being blown from a fan and being lit underneath looks like a flame. A CO2 fire extinguisher makes a great explosion without hurting a thing. There’s lots of noise, lots of smoke and then it’s gone.”
Bick was concerned with creating magic while keeping the actors and audience safe. He said one particular scene involving the casting of the love spell had to be adjusted.
“There’s a live fire on a wooden stage made of wood with wood planks and wood furniture,” Bick said. “What the script recommends concerned my stage manager. David created a neat effect through lighting and special effects. It’s safe and interesting.”
Happily ever after – off stage
Lead characters Gillian Holroyd and Shep Henderson are portrayed by Tamara and Gavin Rulon respectively. The couple has been married for 20 years but this is the first time the two have played onstage love interests.
“This is an enjoyable show. We sought to do it us an actual couple – it’s fun,” Tamara said.
“I only wanted to do it because she was in it,” Gavin said. “It’s fun to fight but it stays here.”
The two have acted together before in a couple of shows and played siblings Sally and Charlie Brown in 2004.
“I love it. She is the best actress to be onstage with. She has patience to let you explore your character,” Gavin said, adding working with his wife feels more comfortable. “It’s also fun to kiss your wife onstage.”
Bick said that directing the two is more a challenge because of their chemistry.
“You would think it makes it easier, actually it makes it harder,” he said. “They aren’t in love at the start of the show. They have to work very hard at that. They get extremely angry with each other – no real interest early on. It’s great working with them. They are great people and are each great actors. It’s been an interesting challenge for them and me.”
Nickel Plate Arts
During Bell, Book and Candle’s run, The Belfry is collaborating with Nickel Plate Arts to host an art gallery in its lobby.
“We’re trying to work more with the community. We’re looking for partnerships all the time,” Bick said. “There’s only so much funding out there. The more we work together, pull our resources, the better we are. We’re very excited about that.”
Bick said all of the art in the gallery is by local Hamilton County artists that have created pieces for the show based on a excerpt of the script. The pieces will be available for purchase during the show’s run.
“There’s a number doing artwork related to the show on a quote from the show,” he said.
The basics
What: Bell, Book and Candle
Where: The Belfry Theatre, 10690 Greenfield Ave.
When: The show runs Jan. 31st through Feb. 16 with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Feb. 9 and 16. Doors open 45 minutes prior to the show.
Who: The show is directed by Jeff Bick. The cast includes Tamara Rulon as Gillian Holroyd; Gavin Rulon, Shep Henderson; Carla Crandall, Miss Holroyd; John Whitaker, Nicky Holroyd; Stefan LeBlanc, Sidney Redlitch; and Duane Leatherman and Christina Wolfe as door hosts.
Reservations: Call 773-1085 or visit www.thebelfrytheatre.com.
Cost: $15 for adults and $12 for children.
