Prospect's 'Arms' fun for audience

Young and pretty Raina has lots of idealistic notions about how romance and war should be until she meets a dashing Swiss mercenary.

Capt. Bluntschli doesn't pretend to be anything other than what he is, and he has no problem calling others on their pretensions.

As presented by Prospect Theater Project, George Bernard Shaw's 1894 satire "Arms and the Man" is funny, charming and highly entertaining. Friday's opening night audience laughed throughout at the spot-on depictions of the ridiculous things humans do to make themselves feel important.

Director Heike Hambley's production is by far the most enjoyable piece the Modesto company has presented in a long time. This isn't the kind of show you feel you need to see because it's a classic and is good for you. It's just good theater.

Set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian war, the entire play takes place in Raina's well-to-do home in Bulgaria.

Hambley's husband, David Hambley, a regular in Modesto and Merced theater scenes, turns in one of the best performances of his career as Bluntschli, a Swiss soldier fighting for the Serbs because Serbia is closest on the road from Switzerland. His comic timing is impeccable as he delivers his one-liners with dry wit.

He is practical and competent but also compassionate and nonjudgmental about others' weaknesses. It's easy to understand why Raina falls in love with this guy.

Raven Elizabeth's Raina is a pampered princess who is a little bored because she can manipulate people so easily into getting what she wants. She's intrigued by Bluntschli because he doesn't play her games.

David Braga is hilarious as her pompous father, who is constantly outwitted by everyone in the household. As Raina's mother, Elda M. Coleman tries hard to act sophisticated but is never quite sure what to do.

Daniel Essenmacher's Maj. Sergius Sarnaoff has an identity crisis -- he likes the status he gets from courting Raina, but his heart really yearns for another. Traci Sprague is strong-willed and proud as Raina's family's maid Louka, and David Narbona is dignified and always calm as family servant Nicola.

Because of the unfamiliar European names and locations, it's hard at times to keep track of who is on what side. But that's a minor concern and doesn't detract from the fun of the play.

The sets, by Jack Souza, convey the luxury of Raina's aristocratic family -- there's a living room with a fireplace, a comfortable bedroom and a patio filled with potted plants.

The costumes, which were provided by Renata Bricks, Heike Hambley and Raven Elizabeth, have an Old World flare with the women in long dresses and head scarves and the men in boots and antique military uniforms.

It's great to see Prospect taking a break from its usual dark, heavy fare and letting its playful spirit come out.

For more on Modesto area arts, visit www.twitter.com/lisamillegan or thehive.modbee.com/artsbeat.