Two Gentlemen From Verona
Tom Markus, director of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival’s Two Gentlemen of Verona, is known for his inventive sense of humor, irreverence, and most of all, a deep understanding of the Bard. All three come together in his latest cocktail composed of Shakespeare’s comedy, sly winks at Shakespearean scholarship (“He has little Greek and less Latin,” referring to Shakespeare himself), and 21st Century acting in-jokes. Framed as a partial dress rehearsal conducted by an hilariously pompous director (Gary Alan Wright) and an eternal weary stage manager (Daniella Vinitski), the players don rehearsal garb, doublets, corsets, and props in order to perform the play. The resulting mix will please Shakespearean aficionados (one can actually follow the storyline), charm newcomers and inform lovers of backstage life in theatrical ways and means.
Shakespeare’s favorite combination of star-crossed lovers gets a comedic turn in Two Gents, with two best friends, Valentine (Mat Hostetler) and Proteus (Matt Mueller), visiting Milan where they vie for the hand of Silvia (the fiery Alexandra C. Lewis). Back home, Julia (Jamie Ann Romero) learns of Proteus’ infidelity and sets out for Milan dressed as a youth, with her sensible maidservant, Lucetta (Karyn Casi), to remedy the situation.
Valentine is attended by the page Speed (an energetic Timothy Orr), while Proteus’ servant, Launce (Dennis Elkins) muddles the proceedings with clownish glee.
It is the clown Launce who owns the star of the show, Crab (Benjamin, a dog). Markus’ concept is focused squarely upon the interplay between Elkins and the unschooled pooch. To Elkins’ credit (and genius), he allows the dog to take the lead, which enables him to improvise to great effect while maintaining his seamless patter. The character of Launce, already noted as a clown in Shakespeare’s text, gets a Barnham and Bailey treatment with Elkins performing in classic red nose, bicycle horn, and never-ending scarves unraveling from nowhere. At another point, he “warms up” the audience, filing in for the second act, with a succession of ever more corny limericks. And wait ‘til you hear about the finale!
As the two gentlemen, Mat and Matt (can that be a coincidence?) share a similarity in coloring and characterization more reminiscent of the twins in Comedy of Errors. But their respective lovers, played by Alexandra Lewis and Jamie Ann Romero, are more distinct. Lewis as Silvia matches fire with common sense while Romero as Julia prettily navigates her feminine role as Shakespeare’s signature cross-dressed youth. Several in the young cast sketch multiple characterizations with clarity. Ian Anderson blends as Proteus’ father, Antonio, then takes the lead as Bastardo, the leader of a forest band. Karyn Casi works overtime as choreographer (a nifty Renaissance dance), a mischievous Lucetta and saucy tavern keeper. As the French fop, Sir Thurio, Benaiah Anderson also stands out.
Marcus’ concept is helped by the skeletal setting of an Elizabethan stage, expertly designed by CU Professor Bruce Bergner and the amusingly fragmented costumes of Markus Henry. He has peppered the proceedings with generous dollops of Renaissance music directed by Rebecca Remaly. The lighting by Rachel Atkinson, generally unobtrusive, only intrudes in an unevenly simulated night balcony scene where Silvia turns blue while her suitor bathes in golden light. Property master Garth Whisenant’s props add to the fun.
This rendition of the Bard makes liberal use of modern interpellations for our amusement, but as with all good things, the ratio of Marcus’ to Shakespeare’s text becomes unbalanced by the end of the evening, and finally lapses completely when Elkins attempts to lead the audience in the Hokey Pokey. Perhaps someone should tell the director: by the end of the night, the Hokey Pokey is just too hokey.
(Photo: Left to Right: Timothy Orr as Speed Dennis Elkins as Launce Benjamin as "Crab")
Two Gentlemen From Verona continues in repertory with Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing (reviews upcoming). In addition, the Festival is offering a production of To Kill a Mockingbird and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).
For production schedule and tickets phone 303.492.0554, visit the box office in the University Theater Building on the CU Boulder Campus, or on-line at www.coloradoshakes.org.