'Heiress' gorgeous period piece

"THE HEIRESS," Pioneer Theatre Company, Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, University of Utah, through March 29 (581-6961), running time: 2 1/2 hours (one intermission)

A maid enters the partially lit parlor and begins to ready the room for the arrival of its owner, Dr. Sloper.

Friday's opening night audience of Pioneer Theatre Company's "The Heiress" seemed to enjoy watching how a maid in 1850 did that chore, especially when she grabbed a long pole to pull down the large chandelier to working-height and lit all the candles.

"Is that candle real?" was a common whisper heard throughout the house.

James Wolk's gorgeous set, on display as you enter the theater, sets the scene and mood. At this show, as far as the set is concerned, the best seats may be in the balcony. From there you can see the gorgeous area rug that isn't a rug at all but is painted on the stage.

Based on "Washington Square," a novel by Henry James, "The Heiress" by Ruth and Augustus Goetz is a story about love — love between men and women, love between fathers and daughters, and love of money and things. It's an interesting study on how parental love can affect the child's ability to find a love of his or her own.

And the lack of parental love can be crippling.

That is where we find homely Catherine Sloper, played wonderfully by Effie Johnson. My palms almost began sweating as I watched the very uncomfortable Catherine being pushed to her limits by her strong, even domineering, father, Dr. Sloper. Thomas Carson is great in the role of protective but disappointed parent, a distinguished but lonely man.

At issue: Does Catherine's suitor have good intentions or is he purely after her inheritance?

There were moments Friday night where the audience gasped and reacted to the painful exchanges between the doctor and his daughter.

The suitor in question is Morris Townsend, played by Alex Podulke. The role of Townsend requires the actor to be likable enough that you always hope his intentions are honorable but shifty enough that it's doubtful. Podulke did this very well, convincing everyone but the doctor of his love for Catherine.

The main characters are well-balanced by the rest of the strong cast, with Libby George being a crowd favorite as the doctor's sister, offering the delightful and needed comedy.