SITE GUIDE
SEARCH
REVIEWS
REVIEW ARCHIVES
ADVERTISING AT CURTAINUP
FEATURES
NEWS
Etcetera and
Short Term Listings
LISTINGS
Broadway
Off-Broadway
NYC Restaurants
BOOKS and CDs
OTHER PLACES
Berkshires
London
California
New Jersey
DC
Connecticut
Philadelphia
Elsewhere
QUOTES
TKTS
PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS
LETTERS TO EDITOR
FILM
LINKS
MISCELLANEOUS
Free Updates
Masthead
A CurtainUp Review
H4 & Shakespeare's Slave
|
But soon, thank God, the short-lived reign of William Shakespeare will end.-- .— Critic
|
Michael Nathanson as Prince Hal
(Photo: Jon Kandel)
|
The first and better offering, H4, h is a modern condensed version of Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 1 and 2, as adapted by Michael Chmiel, Allegra Libonati, Michael Nathanson and Brian Silliman. This multi-media presentation compresses the original story into four days and shifts the action to America, but an America that never severed ties with the British crown. The time is the presen and the characters have modern technology at their fingertips in the form of Skype, e-mails, cell phones, and texting. Just imagine the television series "24" (the creative team used it, more or less, as the template for H4) and you will sense the quicksilver energy of this productgion.
With four meaty roles — King Henry IV, Prince Hal, Falstaff, and Hotspur — all four characters make a strong claim on your attention. This is one of the instances when Shakespeare's title character is not the central protagonist.
The ensemble's acting is enthusiastic, if not always spot on in their interpretations. Timothy McDown Reynolds' King Henry IV is sober-minded enough, but lacks the deep world weariness and remorse that this monarch must convey. Michael Nathanson, as Prince Hal, acquits himself well as the wastrel prince-in-training and future Henry V. Brian Silliman, as Sir John Falstaff, possesses the comic vitality for his part but looks too young to play the fat old knight. Michael Chmiel is ideal as the overreacher Henry "Hotspur" Percy, seamlessly blending chivalry with recklessness. Alice Bahlke, as a feminine Ned Poins seems miscast. Non-conventional casting can work fine, but the delinquent Poins needs more testosterone to be credible.
Although H4 has a lot going for it, its denouement plays out a bit too pat and this adaptation leans too heavily on material from Part 1, with only a respectful nod to Part 2. Granted, Shakespeare's Part 1 has always been the more popular text, but a few morUe scenes from the latter text, most notably Henry IV's poignant Act 3, Scene 1 soliloquy (quot;uneasy lies the head that wears the crown"), would provide some rich dramatic texture to this retooled work.
\\ Allegra Libonati's direction is intelligent, and sometimes ingenious. One cannot help being captivated by Sarah B. Brown's minimalist set, Mark Richard Caswell's modern-day costumes, and Johnathan Carr's first-rate media design. What's missing is the astringency of intellectual anguish and a certain tragic dimension. Ultimately It's a gripping interpretation that falls just short of being a psychologically profound one.
The second offering, Steven Fechter's Shakespeare's Slave, begins promisingly enough, but suffers from too many distracting subplots. It seems more like a theatrical experiment than a fully-developed play. David L. Townsend's fine performance as the struggling Shakespeare and the ensemble's competent support do provide some undeniable charm and humor.
Shakespeare's Slave focuses Shakespeare in a creative crisis, living under the formidable shadow of playwright Christopher Marlowe, when he has yet to write his masterpieces an is struggling with self-doubt as well as his work-in-progress, Henry IV, commissioned by the Lord Chamberlain
It is essentially a fantasy about the man Shakespeare and how London's first African slave changed his life. Like H4 it is essentially a coming-of-age story.
Fechter's play is at its best when it shows Shakespeare, quill in hand, attempting to bring the characters of Henry IV into existence. There's a terrific scene in which Prince Hal and Hotspur, though still figments of Shakespeare's imagination, are rehearsing simultaneously their famous speeches on a raised stage near the playwright's writing desk. This scene hilariously dramatizes the emotional tug-of-war that Shakespeare might have experienced as he penned their immortal speeches. And what's more, the fierce competition between these two Harrys, attempting to outdo each other in eloquence, cogently anticipates their actual rivalry in Henry IV.
Unfortunately, the play gets bogged down by the multiple plot lines. Whereas Shakespeare's romantic relationship with the African slave named Grace (Shaun Bennet Wilson) seems necessary to the drama, his romantic dalliance with Levina Hunksley (Lucille Duncan) appears frivolous. Eric Parness, who directs the play, might consider paring down some scenes to streamline this lengthy work. The evening, which runs well over 2 and a half hours, could definitely be improved by cutting.
If you are a Shakespeare enthusiast, this pairing of H4 and Shakespeare's Slave is worth a look. But if you are pressed to pick only one production, there's no doubt that H4 gets the thumbs up.
|
H4 Written by William Shakespeare Directed by Allegra Libonati Cast: Dorothy Abrahams (Earl of Westmoreland, Mistress Quickly, Traveler 1), Alice Bahlke (Poins, Lady Percy), Joie Bauer (Earl of Douglas, Peto, Body Guard), Michael Chmiel (Henry "Hotspur" Percy), Brian D. Coats (Sir Walter Blunt, Earl of Northumberland, Glendower, Sheriff, Bishop), Joe Jung (Bardolph, Mortimer, King Richard II, Body Guard), Michael Nathanson (Prince Hal), Jensen Austria Olaya (Lady Mortimer, Traveler 2), Steven Pounders (Earl of Worcester, Gadshill), Timothy McCown Reynolds (King Henry IV), Brian Silliman (Falstaff), Chris Landis (understudy for Prince Hal; performing June 18th). Sets: Sarah B. Brown Costumes: Brenda Abbandandolo Sound/original music: David Hancock Turner Media design: Johnathan Carr Lighting: Joe Doran Fight choreography: Dan Renkin Media design: Johnathan Carr Props design: Kyle Bridwell Production stage manager: Veronica Graveline The Clurman Theatre (at Theatre Row) located at 410 West 42 Street. Tickets: $18. 212/ 279.4200 From 5/25/11; opening 5/29/11; closing 6/18/11. Wednesday through Saturday @ 8pm; Tuesday and Sunday @ 7pm; Saturday Matinees @ 2pm; Sunday matinees @ 2pm. Running time: 2 hours; 30 minutes with a 10 minute intermission. Reviewed by Deirdre Donovan based on press performance of 5/28/11 Shakespeare's Slave Written by Steven Fechter Directed by Eric Parness Cast: Chris Ceraso (Sir John Hunksley), Zack Calhoon (The Critic), Lucille Duncan (Levina Hunksley), Nancy Nagrant (Anne Hathaway), Romy Nordlinger (Rose), Steven Pounders (George), David L. Townsend (William Shakespeare), Stewart Walker (Simon Drekker), Shaun Bennet Wilson (Grace). Sets: Sarah B. Brown Costumes: Mark Richard Caswell Sound and original music: Nick Moore Lighting: Joe Doran Props design: Kyle Bridwell Fight choreography: Dan Renkin Production stage manager: Sean McCain The Clurman Theatre 410 West 42 Street. Tickets: $18 212/279.4200 For more information, visit www.ResonanceEnsemble.org. From 5/22/11; opening 5/29/11; closing 6/18/11. Wednesday through Saturday @ 8pm; Tuesday and Sunday @ 7pm; Saturday Matinees @ 2pm; Sunday matinees @ 2pm. Running time: 2 hours; 40 minutes with 10 minute intermission. |
REVIEW FEEDBACK
Paste the highlighted text into the subject line (CTRL+ V): Feel free to add detailed comments in the body of the email. . .also the names and emails of any friends to whom you'd like us to forward a copy of this review. Visit Curtainup's Blog Annex For a feed to reviews and features as they are posted add http://curtainupnewlinks.blogspot.com to your reader Curtainup at Facebook . . . Curtainup at Twitter Subscribe to our FREE email updates: E-mail: esommer@curtainup.comesommer@curtainup.com put SUBSCRIBE CURTAINUP EMAIL UPDATE in the subject line and your full name and email address in the body of the message. If you can spare a minute, tell us how you came to CurtainUp and from what part of the country. |
Slings & Arrows-the complete set
You don't have to be a Shakespeare aficionado to love all 21 episodes of this hilarious and moving Canadian TV series about a fictional Shakespeare Company
