All tagged Shakespeare
Theatre for a New Audience in Brooklyn presents a new nondescript production of Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” featuring an athletic use of choreographed movement to summon the emotional charge created by crowd and battle scenes, elevating and sustaining the intensity of the political drama. “Julius Caesar” is hard to get right; TFANA pulls it off with this well-acted, smartly staged, deeply engaging, and flat-out thrilling production.
Fresh from an acclaimed Off-Broadway run, director Daniel Fish’s reinterpretation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s groundbreaking 1943 musical “Oklahoma!” completely deconstructs this canonical and totemic masterpiece of American musical theatre by stripping it of its corn and highlighting the darker themes of violence and injustice that have always been simmering underneath. Sexually charged and presented with a striking naturalism, this bold new production is a revelation and a must-see.
The Roundabout Theatre Company’s new Broadway revival of “Kiss Me, Kate” is occasionally too darn hot, but mostly just too darn meh. Some key casting mistakes keep this well-appointed production from soaring where it should, but the choreography is a knockout and the musical itself so structurally sound and well-written that it cannot fail to entertain—uneven as it is, but still satisfying.
The Public Theater presents a free, Public Works musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” in Central Park. Featuring songs by Shaina Taub and a cast in excess of 75 professional and amateur performers of all ages, races, sizes, and abilities, this “radically inclusive” production is magical, festive, and highly accessible. Infectiously energetic and buoyantly spirited, do not miss this jubilant new musical.
"A Bronx Tale" will close August 5th; Glenda Jackson will do "King Lear" on Broadway in Spring 2019; an all female Broadway revival of "Glengarry Glen Ross" is in the works; the Vineyard Theatre announces its 2018-2019 season; Austin Pendleton is directing and starring in "Wars of the Roses: Henry VI & Richard III"; Manhattan Concert Productions will present "The Scarlet Pimpernel"; Liliane Montevecchi and Dame Gillian Lynne have died
The Public Theater's Mobile Unit presents a free production of “Henry V” for a short sit down at the Public following a 20 stop tour through the five boroughs. It’s bare bones and thrilling, infused with comedy by director Robert O’Hara. A comedic history play? Purists should stay away. Those looking to ease into Elizabethan text should check it out.
The Royal Shakespeare Company is at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Harvey Theater with the U.S. premiere of their well-appointed 2016 production of “King Lear”, starring Sir Antony Sher. Director Gregory Doran presents a stately and unfussy production with a refreshingly diverse ensemble and striking visuals.
“The Winter’s Tale”, one of Shakespeare’s notorious “problem plays”, is given a solid new production by Arin Arbus with a terrific troupe of actors. While not a canonical favorite of mine, this play offers fascinating insights, is well-designed and performed, and is sure to delight any lover of Shakespeare.
With ever-increasing crosspollination between New York and London stages, this is a roundup of my recent visit across the pond, featuring: "42nd Street", "Amadeus", "Cinderella", "Everybody's Talking About Jamie", "The Ferryman", and "Titus Andronicus"
Lovers of Shakespeare looking for a droll if-uninspired jaunt might enjoy this production of "As You Like It", otherwise skip this ill-conceived and ill-executed adaption, and wait for a better production by director John Doyle.
