SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
VINTAGE THEATRE: FEB.11 – MAR. 20
Magnificent both conceptually and in its execution, Vintage Theatres’ production of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE is NOT TO BE MISSED.
The adaptation of Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard’s screenplay for the stage by Lee Hall is genuine artistry.
The themes of a playwright trying to get over writer’s block and women trying to find their rightful place in the Globe are as prevalent now as then.
Christine Kahane’s direction is studied and astute in every way.
Ben Griffin’s Will is young, masculine and handsome. He’s a regular guy with more substance than some, who are seemingly cast for Hollywood glam. This actor’s energetic, articulate performance in the central role is golden.
Anne Jenness is luminous as Viola de Lesseps. Amusing in her mustachioed drag, she is gorgeous all in white near final curtain. The sensuous delivery of the lovemaking of Will and Viola at the top of Act Two is visually delicious. Kahane’s direction of this scene is of the highest and best, with regard to relating true tenderness of heart in visual terms.
Hilarious beyond words, Joey Wishnia’s performance is indelible! His high comic take on the role of Queen Elizabeth I is an utter delight!
Mari Gaesair is brilliant in her role as the Nurse. It is thrilling to see this actor onstage again, and one hopes to see her there again soon.
Clint Heyn in Christmas colors with goose turd green leggings creates hilarious suspense with his stuttering prologue as the Chorus.
Erik Thurston does sterling work as Romeo’s hot-headed compatriot, Mercutio.
Andy Seracuse gives a masterly portrayal of Christopher Marlowe. Finishing young Shakespeare’s sentences and giving him the titles for his plays, both the script and the direction give us hints that Shakespeare was piggy-backing the assumed dead Marlowe. (But I digress. It’s up to you to decide whether the Marlovian theory that Christopher Marlowe wrote the plays is true or not.)
Eric Carlson’s Lord Wessex is appropriately narcissistic, unkind, and arrogant. The kind of guy you love to hate!
Ryan Walkoviak’s scenic design flanks the stage with a swirling spiral of pages floating mid-air. Other than that, his minimalist approach allows the Elizabethan and the contemporary time periods to meld and the actors’ performances to really pop.
In like manner the costumes created by Cheryl Falnew, Susan Rahmsdorff-Terry and Kristina Ferraro Johnson create apparel that blends contemporary and Elizabethan styles.
Emily Maddox’s lighting design is constantly morphing, allowing the play’s various moods to change on a dime.
If you don’t have a tear in your eye at this play’s final curtain, you may not have a pulse.
Get thee to the theatre!!!
Vintage Theatre presents
“Shakespeare in Love”
The exciting play adapted from the Oscar-winning film.
Feb 11 – Mar 20
Fri/Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
$20-$32
303-856-7830 or online at www.vintagetheatre.org
Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora 80010
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