‘Bell, Book, and Candle’ Set to Open at Pierson Playhouse

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Theatre Palisades’ next show, “Bell, Book, and Candle,” is set to open at Pierson Playhouse on Friday night, June 2, at 8 p.m.

“Gillian Holroyd is a witch,” according to a synopsis of the show, sent by Theatre Palisades. “One of the few modern people who can actually cast spells and perform feats of magic.”

Holroyd casts a spell over an “unattached publisher,” aiming to keep him away from a rival and also because she is attracted to him.

“He falls head over heels in love with her at once and wants to marry her,” the synopsis continued. “But witches, unfortunately, cannot fall in love, and this minute imperfection leads to a number of difficulties.”

Holroyd eventually breaks off with her witchy companions, with a preference for the “normal and human love” offered by the publisher.

“But before the happy conclusion of romance, Gillian comes very near to losing him—but doesn’t,” the synopsis concluded. “She realizes that one has to stop living in terms of ‘self’ if love is ever to be realized.”

The cast features Jasmine Haver as Gillian Holroyd in her Theatre Palisades debut, as well as Andrew Cereghino as Shep Henderson, Laura Goldstein as Miss Holroyd, Jeff Coppage as Nicky and Michael Anthony Nozzi as Redlitch.

The show, written by John Van Druten, is directed by Brandon Polanco. It is produced by Martha Hunter and Maria O’Connor.

“Witches are all around us, and ‘Bell, Book and Candle,’ written in 1950 by John Van Druten, was ahead of its time in understanding witches and their magic,” Polanco wrote. “A precursor for ‘Bewitched,’ Mr. Van Druten’s play is a love story about witchcraft that proposes these questions, if a person has the ability to make the impossible possible, can they still love? What does it mean to be human? In a world of digital and social media, when people glamorize their lives like a spell, sometimes being human is the most powerful magic one can express into the world.”

Performances will take place at Pierson Playhouse, located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., as well as Sundays at 2 p.m., through July 8. Tickets are $22.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrepalisades.org.