THE LITTLE FOXES by Carol Kaufman Segal

            The Antaeus Theatre opened its season with Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes at the Kiki & David Gindler performing Art Center in Glendale.  Written by Hellman in 1939, it was considered a classic of 20^th century drama.  While the play takes place in Alabama in 1900, it is amazing how nothing in it would have to be modified if it were set to take place today.

            Everything about this production is of the highest quality.  While waiting for it to begin, the audience sees a magnificent stage setting of a luxurious living room in the Giddens’ home in a small town in Alabama (set design by John Iacovelli).   On stage right is a foyer that leads to the front door (door not seen) and at stage left there is a dining room that can be seen into through a glass door.  Backstage left are stairs leading up to the second floor bedrooms.      

            Regina Hubbard Giddens (Deborah Puette), her brothers Benjamin Hubbard (Mike McShane), and Oscar Hubbard (Rob Nagle) appear to be a close-knit family.  They often find themselves together in Regina’s home along with Regina’s young daughter Alexandra Giddens (Kristin Couture), Oscar’s wife Birdie Hubbard (Jocelyn Towne), and their ninny son Leo Hubbard (Calvin Picou).  Regina’s husband, Horace Giddens (John DeMita) has been in a convalescent home for nearly five months, his health failing due to a heart condition.  Never fear, he will show up eventually.      

            Regina, Benjamin, and Oscar do not spend their time together because they love one another so much.  Oh no, they spend their time together figuring out ways to add to their riches.  And they will do anything to anyone in order to achieve their goal, including one another.  They will use each other, or any family member, with no regard of the consequences in order to build up their riches. The three siblings arrange a meeting in Regina’s home with William Marshall (Timothy Adam Venable) who offers them a chance to make a lot of money by investing with him.  After he leaves, the next thing they decide they have to do is figure out how to get the money in order to invest with  Marshall to become rich.

            Poor Birdie wonders why she ever married Oscar who chastises her for everything she says or every move she makes. To him, she is more of a hindrance than part of his family.  However, his son is different because he can be of help in their scathing plans.  When Horace comes home in a wheel chair after his long convalescence, Alexander is very happy, though not aware of why her Mother had him come home.  Thrilled to have him, she pampers him, as do Cal (William L, Warren) and Addie (Judy Louise Johnson), the household help.

            The plot thickens when plans go awry and Horace, unfortunately, discovers why he was needed back home.  When Regina pulls the rug out from under Benjamin and Oscar, and when she loses her daughter who suddenly evolves from a teen-ager into a mature woman in control of her  own existence, she is left standing alone, albeit, a woman who paid dearly for the riches she would do anything to obtain.. 

            While the play is presented in three acts with two intermissions, every actor is so outstanding, it holds one’s attention every minute from beginning to end and the time seems to fly.  This spectacular production is directed by Cameron Watson.  The beautiful period clothes for the men and the women were designed by Terri A. Lewis.  The lighting design, by Jared A. Saying, adds to the ambiance of the setting.   

            The Little Foxes,  a production of the Antaeus Theatre Company, plays Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM, and Mondays at 8 PM, through Dec. 10, at the Kik i & David Gindler Performing Arts Center, 110 East Broadway, Glendale.  For tickets, call (818) 506-1983 or go online at www.Antaeus.org.

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