`Painting Churches’ offers rich message

“Painting Churches,” which opened Tuesday night at Acadia Repertory Theatre, has nothing to do with painters who are interested in depicting religious architecture. Nor is it about laborers who make a living whitewashing New England steeples. Rather, the play tells the story of the Church family, a set of Bostonians whose domestic demons are exorcised when mummy and daddy decide to sell their Beacon Hill home and move to Cape Cod.

Daughter Mags arrives to help her aging parents pack up their lives, but her primary emotional task is to paint a portrait of the distinguished old couple. The undertaking proves to be difficult for Mags, however, and before she can paint the Churches, she must confront her own banshees and the realization that her parents are nearing their final days. Filled with comedic moments about the starchily dignified upper crust, the play also offers some meaningful insight into the bugaboos of family life.

ART’s opening night show captured much of the humor of Tina Howe’s script. In particular, Eugene J. Tierney as Gardner Church, an eminent New England poet and patriarch of the family, gave a believable and entertaining performance. His serious absorption in simple beauty and momentary pleasures was unaffectedly humorous. Plus, Tierney captured a bit of the raised-nose attitude of an old-moneyed family.

Julie Sheehan, as Gardner’s thick-skinned wife, Fanny, lacked the aristocratic poise of a Bostonian grandam. Intermittently, Sheehan showed some depth to her character, but never really expressed the staunch propriety that a woman of Fanny’s stature and strength would probably possess. A poorly masked Midwestern accent and a series of ridiculous hats made Sheehan’s performance all the more untidy.

As Mags, Kathleen McInerney had admirable energy, though frequently she seemed too giddy, collegiate and artistically hip for a 30-year-old woman whose lauded artwork has been displayed in a reputable New York gallery. Given that this play is, in many ways, Mags’ story — one with which many young women will identify — guest director Wayne Loui might have infused the character with less glee and more scrupulousness.

Despite some flat scenes and a few uninteresting monologues, this play is fun summer theater that splashes the canvas in a rich message about how parents paint children, and how children paint parents.

“Painting Churches” by Tina Howe will be performed 8:15 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday and 2 p.m. Sunday through July 28 at Acadia Repertory Theatre in Somesville. For reservations, call 244-7260.