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GREENSBORO — Although it has lost the shock value of its scandalous early days, "Mrs. Warren's Profession" provides an interesting look at social growing pains around the turn of the century.

Triad Stage's first George Bernard Shaw production is well acted, lovely to watch and nicely paced by director Preston Lane. Like Chekhov's comedies, the laughs are tempered with bittersweet emotions.

Vivian Warren (Rebecca Nerz) has returned to her mother's country estate after years away at school. She's every inch an independent woman, anxious to earn her keep.

Kitty Warren (Giulia Pagano), however, hopes her daughter will join her in a social swirl filled with men such as rich Sir George Croft (Rand Bridges), sentimental architect Praed (Allan Edwards) and the local vicar and his son Frank (Lucius Houghton and Jon Douglas).

Vivie is also told the truth: Her expensive upbringing was sponsored by her mother's prostitution. While Vivie is understanding about the economics that drove her mother to the life, the knowledge that her mother remains the madam of several lucrative European brothels drives a wedge between the two.

From the distance of a century, it's easy to see Shaw's modern woman is basically a man, brandishing a firm handshake, looking forward to a cigar at the end of the day, anxiously awaiting the invention of the Barcalounger.

Nerz is nicely effective as this confident paragon of practicality, but too much of her stage time has her agape with astonishment as she listens to mounds of exposition.

Pagano makes Kitty both purposefully manipulative and vulnerable. She might have been forced into her profession, but she unapologetically enjoys the lifestyle it enables.

Bridges, a perfect Edward Gorey aristocrat, plays Sir George as a charming aged roué.

Houghton's earthly Rev. Gardner remains sympathetic because his vices take a comic toll both mentally and physically.

Edwards is a very sweet Praed, revealing the romantic, conventional heart beneath his self-proclaimed anarchist's nature.

As Vivie's suitor, Douglas' performance is more problematic. His easygoing, dapper Frank would be an amusing escort, but any intelligent girl like Vivie would perceive his callow, money-hungry character.

Howard C. Jones has created a lovely shabby chic set of muted pastels, dappled by the lighting design of Norman Coates.

Kelsey Hunt's costumes nicely accentuate each character's personality.

Ryan J. Gastelum's sound design is classic BBC costume drama.

While not as memorable as many Triad Stage productions, "Mrs. Warren's Profession" is a solid show. It won't awe an audience, but won't disappoint it either.

Leslie Mizell is a freelance contributor.