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Based on a little-known 1696 play written by Jean-Francois Regnard.

Saturday May 05, 2001.     By Bill Gorman

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Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Tickets (847) 673-6300
Through April 29

The Gamester, now at Northlight through April 29, sounds like one of Moliere's plays, and moves like one of Feydeau's. From the moment the play's first words are spoken, the evening is off like shot, and only stops for intermission and curtain call.

The Gamester, written by Freyda Thomas, is based on a little-known 1696 play written by Jean-Francois Regnard, a little-known French writer. There is really nothing new in this play that you can't see in other French comedies of the period, but unlike some, it does not necessarily tie things up very neatly. And that's a good thing. By the play's end, when you may think you've guessed what will happen to the characters, you are left with only your imagination. That may be frustrating for some, but in really it is the ultimate ending for a play whose central theme is the evils and allure of gambling. There are some anachronisms in theme and dialogue, but they are eradicated due to the talents of the actors and director.

The play centers around Jean Valere (Steven Rishard), a young man addicted to gambling and in debt up to his neck. Valere desperately wants to marry his sweetheart Angelique (Gail Rastorfer), but his gambling debts are the one thing that stand between him and happiness. Valere's father (Bill McGough) refuses to give his son money if he does not mend his ways, and his too-loyal servant Hector (Scott Parkinson) tries to keep the wolves from the door. Thrown into the mix are the sexually insatiable Mme. Securite (Linda Kimbrough), the bitter widow Mme. Argante (Susan Hart), who is also in love with Valere, Dorante (Fred Zimmerman), Valere's uncle and rival for Angelique's hand (although his love is not requited), and the stammering Marquis de Fauxpas (Mark Ulrich) who is comfortable around everyone except the woman he loves.

Masterfully directed by Writers' Theatre Chicago's Artistic Director, Michael Halberstam, the play does not skip a beat. Halberstam overcomes the play's flaws with his firm grasp on what makes the play work. The pacing is sharp and crisp, and there is not a wasted move. Rachel Healy's costumes are perfect.

The actors' performances are uniformly very good, especially Scott Parkinson as Hector, Mark Ulrich as the Marquis de Fauxpas, Susan Hart as Mme. Argante, Gail Rastorfer as Angelique and the wonderful Linda Kimbrough as Mme. Securite. As the play's central character, Valere, Steven Rishard gives a good but tentative performance - almost as if he is uncomfortable with a role of this size.

All in all, however, The Gamester is a treat.