'Bell, Book and Candle' delightful fun

And "Bell, Book and Candle" is a pleasure. And definitely airy.

Directed with spunk by Sabian Trout, the play by John Van Druten about contemporary witches loose in New York City is frothy fun that doesn't challenge but does delight.

Back in 1958, the play was made into a movie starring Jimmy Stewart as Shepherd, the innocent neighbor who falls prey to a spell cast by Gillian. Kim Novak played that sultry witch in the movie (and word is there will be a remake for the silver screen next year starring Alicia Keys in the Novak role).

In the Live Theatre production, Jodi Rankin and Christopher Moseley re-created the roles of witch and neighbor. While Rankin laid on the cold witch role a tad thick, she made a clear transition — softening her look and her voice — to human (she falls in love, see, and when witches fall in love, the power falls away).

Moseley was a suave victim, going convincingly from disinterested to mad-about-you once Gillian casts her spell on him.

But the real delights in this production are Roberta Streicher as Gillian's aunt, a mischievous witch who loves snooping and working her magic, and Michael Woodson in a small role as a boozy author who is convinced that witchcraft is abundant in the Big Apple. The two have a keen sense of comedic timing and a big presence — you wanted them both, especially Streicher, to stay on stage forever.

And the biggest scene stealer opening night was the cat, Pyewacket (Goldie Woodson), the witch's pet. As Rankin held her and did her scene, the cat cuddled and stretched and squirmed. At that point, Rankin no doubt understood what W.C. Fields meant when he said, "Never work with animals or children."

Review

"Bell, Book and Candle"

• Presented by: Live Theatre Workshop.

• Director: Sabian Trout.

• When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays through June 10.

• Where: Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway.

• Tickets: $17, with discounts available.

• Information: 327-4242.