\u201cArms and the Man\u201d is the new, delightful, and entertaining play at Lamb\u2019s Players Theatre. This comedy, written by George Bernard Shaw and first produced in 1894, tells of a timeless story about love, war, and deceit. The inspiration for the title \u201cArms and the Man\u201d comes from Virgil\u2019s \u201cAeneid\u201d opening words, \u201cOf Arms and the Man I sing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The play is set in a home in Bulgaria during the Serbian-Bulgarian War in 1885. The main character is Raina Petkoff, a young woman, daughter of Major Paul Petkoff, engaged to Sergius Saranoff, who she believes is a war hero.<\/p>\n
Following a battle, the Serbian soldiers escape, and one of them, a Swiss man by the name of Capt. Bluntschli takes refuge in Raina\u2019s bedroom. Raina, while at first unsure and scared of the strange soldier, takes a liking to him, especially when she finds out he carries chocolates in his pockets instead of bullets. The duo exchanges a fun and entertaining dialogue. Bluntschli is very realistic about war, unlike Reina. He eventually leaves the home wearing Reina\u2019s father\u2019s coat, in which Reina places a signed portrait of herself so that Bluntschli can remember her. This sets in motion a series of events that lead to Raina\u2019s engagement breaking off. Megan Carmitchel plays Raina, an ingenue young woman with idealistic and romantic concepts of love and war. Bluntschli is played by MJ Sieber, who portrays an older soldier who has lived the life of the military for too long and has a realistic view of war. He reveals to Raina that Sergius\u2019 decision to attack with his regiment cost many lives. Raina\u2019s mother, Catherine Petkoff, played by Melissa Fernandes, works hard to protect her daughter during the series of events. She is also a big fan of her daughter\u2019s fianc\u00e9, Sergius, played by Coronados\u2019 own Spencer Gerber, who gave a delightful and funny performance. Sergius is a narcissistic, pompous soldier who, in truth, makes the audience laugh with his boastful beliefs about himself. Servants Louka, played by Kate Karel, and Nicola, played by John Rosen, have their own intrigue, which is connected to the story\u2019s ending.<\/p>\n
Raina\u2019s father, Major Paul Petkoff, is played by Manny Fernandes and is the real-life husband of Melissa Fernandes, Raina\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n
When war is over, Sergius, Major Petkoff, and Capt. Bluntschli arrives at the house, and the story unfolds, and true love is found. While Raina has fallen in love with Capt. Bluntschli, Sergius is now in love with Luka. The intrigue comes to an end when all is revealed.<\/p>\n
\u201cArms and the Man\u201d was first produced at Lamb\u2019s Theatre in 1984, and Deborah Gilmour Smyth played Raina. Gilmour Smyth, a long-time company member, is the director of the current production.<\/p>\n