This is not to say that the sparkling production of Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey in Madison isn’t worth seeing. It’s just that at the two-hour mark, I had had enough of an eccentric, lay-about father who might or might not be mentally ill, a stepmother given to drama with a capital D and a romantic rectangle with more ups and downs than the Suffolk hills surrounding the ruined Norman castle with its seventeenth-century addition in which this family resides.
Barely resides, I say, because they are skating on the thin ice of penury and starvation, with no money coming in, no one working and the possibility that the American who has inherited the property they lease might turn them out for nonpayment of rent. Of course, this does not happen, for love saves the day and all ends well, just as it should for a holiday production.
I Capture the Castle (I cannot figure out the meaning of the title except that it might be the name of a game the British are fond of playing) concerns the fate of the bohemian Mortmain family. And what a motley crew they are! The action is narrated by 17-year-old Cassandra, using the conceit of keeping a journal as practice for writing stories she can sell to magazines to earn money to help feed her family. Her older sister Rose has considered selling herself on the street to make some dough, but the arrival of two wealthy American Cotton brothers, Simon and Neil, and an engagement to one makes that alternative moot. (Left: Rebecca Mozo as Cassandra and Nisi Sturgis as her sister Rose dream about boys and falling in love) 
The Mortmains find themselves in such dire straits because their father James has failed to produce anything since publishing an innovative (and unintelligible) novel twenty years before; he spends his time reading detective novels and collecting information on flowers, birds, puzzles and games with an eye to who knows what. The other adult in the household, his second wife Topaz, was a model for painters; now she tries to encourage her husband (whom she considers a genius and whom she calls “Mortmain”) to write and makes silly pronouncements in a throaty, dramatic voice. The youngest child, Thomas, a delightful young man, tries to help his sister Cassandra find a way out of their muddle. The family is supported, literally, by Stephen Colley, the son of their former maid, who is in love with Cassandra and donates to the family coffers whatever he makes helping a neighbor farmer. (Above: Topaz Mortmain, played by Erika Rolfsrud, is cheered up her step daughter Cassandra, played by Rebecca Mozo ) 
The zany nonsense of I Capture the Castle swirls around the romance sought by the two sisters. Seeing his wealth as a way to help her family, Rose accepts Simon’s offer of marriage. And Cassandra rejects Stephen but pines for Simon, who regards her as a mere child. The resolution of this conundrum is delicious, if long-awaited. (Left: Cassandra, played by Rebecca Mozo, talks with the young, wealthy American, Simon, played by Tony Roach, about his engagement to her sister) 
While all of the acting is superb, the real star of the show is Rebecca Mozo, who is making her debut with STNJ; I sure hope Bonnie Monte casts her in future shows. Her incandescent smile (and adorable dimples) lights up the gloomy castle environs, and her sunny nature makes the best of a bad situation. We fall in love with her instantly, even if Simon doesn’t! Nisi Sturgis turns in a terrific performance as Rose, old enough to be frightened of a dead-end future yet cunning enough to know when to grab an opportunity. Erika Rolfrud is appropriately daft as Topaz, and Matt Bradford Sullivan’s James Mortmain makes one’s head spin with his endless non sequiturs. Daniel Marconi rounds out the family nicely as the level-headed Thomas. (Above: Cassandra, played by Rebecca Mozo, and Rose, her sister, played by Nisi Sturgis) 
Pressly Coker’s Stephen Colley is great to look at, what with his rosy cheeks and shock of blond hair. His earnest interpretation of the role makes one sad that Cassandra does not return his affections. Tony Roach as Simon Cotton, Josh Carpenter as his brother Neil and Wendy Barrie-Wilson as their mother have a great time as the expansive Americans, so no-nonsense and capable. Able support comes from Maureen Silliman as cheery Mrs. Marcy, the school teacher, who has turned her sorrow into hope by caring for young children; John FitzGibbon as the unchurchman-like Vicar, who is not above cutting a rug or taking a nip or two; and Mary Steward as Leda Fox-Cotton, the liberated woman photographer, who hilariously swans around in her Louise Brook’s hairdo and pants. (Above: Cassandra, played by Rebecca Mozo, realizes her childhood friend Stephen, played by Pressly Coker, has fallen in love with her. ) Cameron Watson has directed with a firm hand, but the performance still drags; by two hours, I was checking my watch and tiring of the silliness onstage. Harry Feiner’s set, however, perfectly recreates a home in a castle; Hugh Hanson’s costumes delightfully convey the English idea of fashion, especially for folks who don’t have much money. Stephen Gabis has done a fine job with the dialects; the cast maintains their British accents convincingly without flagging.
With all these fine production values, you might wonder why I didn’t love I Capture the Castle. Yes, it was entertaining. And yes, the acting was first-rate. But the plot goes on and on and on, overstaying its welcome. That’s too bad, because I’d like to get to know Cassandra better. She’s a gem!
I Capture the Castle will be performed at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s F.M. Kirby Theatre on the campus of Drew University in Madison through January 2. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30 PM; Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM; Fridays (December 10 and 17) and Saturdays (December 11 and 18) at 2 PM; Sundays at 2 PM. There are no performances December 25 and January 1. For tickets, call the box office at 973.408.5600 or visit online at http://www.shakespearenj.org/.
Photos: ©Gerry Goodstein
