THEATER REVIEW:

“The Heiress” is no spring chicken. She was born in Henry James’ 1880 novel “Washington Square” and was popularized more than 60 years ago on the big screen with Olivia de Havilland, earning an Oscar in the title role.

So why is South Coast Repertory’s production of “The Heiress” so vital and involving? Beyond its melodramatic — and, by now, overly familiar — story, there are some super-charged, gripping performances, particularly in the case of the title character.

The heiress of the tale is a twentysomething, unmarried daughter of a wealthy physician, whose wife died bringing her into the world, an event that remains a festering emotional sore for the father. Making matters worse, the daughter, Catherine, has become a painfully shy, physically plain and socially awkward young woman.

Nevertheless, she has a yearly inheritance of $10,000, which will triple upon her father’s death. This, the old man is convinced, explains the attention heaped on her by a handsome young man whose own track record with finances is dismal.

Under the surgically precise direction of Martin Benson, “The Heiress” breaks the bonds of vintage play revival and offers some keen insight into the upper class New York life of 1850. An imposing, majestic setting by Thomas Buderwitz establishes this elegance most splendidly.

In the title role, Kirsten Potter creates no fewer than three different character studies — first as the clumsy, introverted young lady, then as the passionately involved romantic and finally as the frosty, determined woman resigned to and fondly anticipating a life of plush spinsterhood.

Equally powerful is Tony Amendola’s achingly authoritarian interpretation of her father, well aware of his daughter’s shortcomings and determined to prevent any fortune hunter from cashing in on them. Amendola also displays several facets of his character with one intentional exception — a loving father.

Michael A. Newcomer touches all the right bases of fervent passion as Morris, Catherine’s dirt-poor suitor, yet his subtle nuances reveal his underlying motives skillfully enough to earn him lusty boos on his curtain call. But were his intentions sinister or sincere? The audience must decide.

Staunch support is rendered by Lynn Milgrim as Catherine’s fluttery aunt. Karen Hensel, in a welcome return to the South Coast Repertory’s stage, contributes an intricate cameo as Morris’ needy sister and Jennifer Parsons is a perky, pleasing maid.

As ancient as this Ruth and Augustus Goetz adaptation of James’ vintage novel is, its central characters are banquets for skilled actors, and these are present in abundance on the stage.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “The Heiress”

WHERE: South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

WHEN: 7:30 or 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays until Nov. 16

COST: $28 to $62

CALL: (714) 708-5555

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews appear Thursdays.