Gloucester Stage's "Mrs. Dalloway: First Love": Exquisite Theater

Never buy your own flowers.

Gloucester Stage presents the world premiere of “Dalloway: First Love,” by Lindsay Joelle. This prequel to Virginia Woolf’s novel follows 18-year-old Clarissa Perry in the summer of 1890. The free-spirited teenager is pressured to find a husband. An unexpected visitor coaxes Clarissa to forge a new path for herself. 

To sit in the Gloucester Stage auditorium as one of the first audiences to witness the premiere of “Dalloway: First Love” was an exquisite experience. The production is captivating, brought to life with remarkable performances and the rare opportunity to see a story inspired by an iconic novel grace the stage.

Clarissa Dalloway, Virginia Woolf’s iconic character, was always ahead of her time. Now, with a chance to see who Clarissa was at 18, the play sheds a whole new light on the character. Josephine Mosheri Elwood taps into the character’s inner soul, bringing out a naïve girl eager to escape and learn about the world. 

The show brings to life an unseen character from the famous novel: Sally Seton. Sally is the complete opposite of Clarissa, who guides her own way. Haley Dyana Schwartz does an exemplary job establishing the upright and bold woman. 

Clarissa and Sally’s interactions are an important part of the story. Elwood and Schwartz are terrific in scenes where they tease each other or in serious confrontations. The downside is that they weren’t meant to meet now. 

The show is very well-acted by everyone involved. Shobhit Piasa steps into Peter Walsh's shoes. He is relentless in his pursuit of Clarissa’s hand in marriage. Although a polite young man, it is easy to see his envy of the world. Piasa conveys Peter’s subtle countenance very well. 

Prepare yourselves for the Jekyll and Hyde performance of the evening by Jesse Garlick. Garlick plays four distinct characters. First as Clarissa’s stern father, the arrogant suitor Hugh Whitbred, then as Joseph Breitkopf, an over-the-top opera conductor, and finally as the gentle and kind-hearted Mr. Dalloway. 

It’s incredible to witness Garlick transform into all these characters. Off topic, but his appearance as Joseph Breitkopf looked strikingly similar to Professor Hinkle in the animated short, “Frosty the Snowman” (1969).

Scenic Designer Kristin Loeffler transforms Gloucester Stage’s black box theater into “Mrs. Dalloway’s” world. I was entranced by the lifelike tree design that sits in the center of the stage. Piles of mulch elevate nature’s presence. It felt like a familiar place.  

Joelle’s work “The Garbologists” played at Gloucester Stage last year. Joelle has a creative eye for stories. This time, she took an already-existing work and created a fanfiction prequel. Fanfiction deserves more recognition. She researched the original novel closely so that the story and language replicate Woolf’s work. 

Rebecca Bradshaw’s direction brings an intimate, character-driven approach to Joelle’s play. The play felt like it was lifted right out of a storybook. The character interactions are the most important part, evolving the characters’ relationships. 

The seats were filled with several fans of Woolf’s original novel. It was more of an older crowd, but the show brought out their inner kid. I enjoyed listening to a group of women talk about the show and its creativity. This was a prequel “Dalloway” fans needed. 

Romance has changed since the period this story is set. “Dalloway: First Love” is an honest representation of love. Theater has also evolved with the theme, showcasing love beyond the traditional form. It's impactful to see the positive evolution.

“Dalloway: First Love” is not to be missed. I had a big smile on my face the whole time. It plays at Gloucester Stage until Sunday, Aug. 27. It is a pleasurable time filled with fun imagination.