BWW Reviews: THE WINTER'S TALE at the Shakespeare Theatre Company - A Classy Production
By: Charles Shubow May. 24, 2013
The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Affiliated Artist Rebecca Taichman has compiled an amazing ensemble of nine actors (a co-production with New Jersey's McCarter Theatre Center) in presenting an entertaining production of THE WINTER'S TALE at the Landsburgh Theatre (450 7th Street NW).
The play is not often done. I've never seen it before. But when I saw that Brent Carver was going to be it, it really peaked my interest. I fondly recall Carver in his Tony-nominated role of Leo Frank in Jason Robert Brown's PARADE at Lincoln Center and his Tony-winning role in Kander and Ebb's KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN.
Then I noticed Mark Harelik was cast and recall his wonderful roles on Broadway in THE NORMAL HEART and LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.
And there is one more Tony-winner actor on board, the amazing Hannah Yelland who won the award in BRIEF ENCOUNTER. (I highly recommend a wonderful article on the actress by Peter Marks in the Washington Post May 19 edition).
Add to these actors the always enjoyable Nancy Robinette and Ted Van Griethuysen, the terrific Sean Arbuckle, and two talented young actors, Todd Bartels and Heather Wood and you have the making of one superb night at the theater. So superb I can honestly say I could see it again.
This is one classy production. The play opens and the nine-member cast (playing 16 roles) walk majestically onto the stage where eight large chairs and one small chair await them. They stroll onto the stage looking at each other with slight smirks and then proceed to sit. The stage is then transformed into a lovely simple set (by Christine Jones) which reminded me of the oval office in the White House.
Act I opens in the wintry climate in Sicilia where King Leontes accuses his very pregnant wife Hermione (the only actor not playing multiple roles) of infidelity. He not only orders her death, but the death of her soon to be born daughter. But sometimes, orders of Kings are not carried out.
Act II switches to the spring in lovely Bohemia where Leontes' child Perdita is now sixteen years old and knows nothing of her lineage. She's found like Moses in the bulrushes by two shepherds.
Act III returns to Sicilia and there's a life-like statue of Hermione (Leontes noticed his lovely wife now has wrinkles).
The statue of Hermione comes to life (or is it our imagination?). Leontes repents and asks for forgiveness and they both head off into the sunset to tumultuous applause.
That's the story in a nutshell.
The evening is aided by terrific lighting by Christopher Akerlind (with wonderful use of shadows), simple yet elegant costumes (so clever in Act II) by David Zinn, and superb sound by Matt Tierney.
It was the music by Nico Muhly which really made the show complete. He incorporates live musicians from the beginning with a violin, clarinet and piano (and even a toy piano) to distinguish the moods. In Act I the music tends to be baroque and while in Bohemia, more like folksongs. You can definitely see an influence of Phillip Glass.
I highly recommend the wonderful publication "Asides" which gives a great deal of insite into the production. (visit www.Asides.ShakespeareTheatre.org.) It is filled with educational articles. The last article is about Muhly who commented about the show, "I think it's going to be fun." How astute!!
THE WINTER'S TALE runs until June 23.
Following the June 8 performance is the free "Classics in Context" from 5-6 p.m. with panelists discussing the show.
Following the June 19 performance is a free "Post-Performance Cast Discussion".
For tickets, call 202-547-1122 or visit www.ShakespeareTheatre.org.
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