BWW Reviews: The Denver Center Theatre Company Tugs at the Heart Strings with Tender Performances in SHADOWLANDS
By: Michael Mulhern Apr. 28, 2014
The Denver Center presents C. S. Lewis's experience with love and loss in SHADOWLANDS (By William Nicholson) playing the Space Theatre now until April 27th. A deeply moving reminder that great loss cannot exist without great love, Shadowlands is a biographical look at the late-in-life blooming relationship between C.S. Lewis and wife Joy Davidman. The lynchpin of the story is Davidman's cancer diagnosis, and how the reverberation of that moment shakes the foundation of Lewis' strong faith.
"The pain then is part of the happiness now"
Graeme Malcolm commanded the iconic role of C.S. Lewis and was quite impressive in his Denver Center debut. He guided the plot with charm and grace and I loved the dimension he added to this iconic role and the layers that he peeled back from this stoic man to reveal his true heart. Kathleen McCall as Joy Davidman was simply marvelous and she played this part with a twinkle in her eye that captured everyone's hearts. She took us on her journey from confidence, to frustration, to love, to sickness and her final brave moments. I have seen this fine actress in many roles at the Denver Center (one of my favorites being her passionate performance as Jean Louise "Scout" Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird), but I have to say that her outstanding and heartfelt role in this show is my favorite of hers...so far. Her son, Douglas (excellently played by the adorable Charlie Korman) was also wonderful and gave the show the childlike and inquisitive innocence that added even more passion and tenderness to this show. I adored John Hutton's superb portrayal of the brother, Warnie Lewis; who was stern and skeptical and hid his heart of gold. His daily routine and vocalization were hilarious and it warmed everyone's hearts as he grew to love his new extended family. Sam Gregory was a necessity in this drama heavy show by offering so many comical moments and humorous one-liners as Christopher Riley. In addition to those funny moments, he also gave the doubts and varied opinions and doubts to this new and unknown pop-up family.
You will laugh, you will cry, but ultimately you will be moved by these exceptional performances. SHADOWLANDS is stirring audiences now through April 27th on the Space Theatre of the Denver Center. Performances as Tuesday through Thursdays at 6:30pm; Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm; with Saturday & Sunday matinees at 1:30pm. For tickets or more information, conact the Denver Center Ticketing Services at 303-893-4100 or online at www.denvercenter.org.
PICTURED ABOVE: Graeme Malcolm as C.S. Lewis and Kathleen McCall as Joy Davidman
PHOTO CREDIT: Jennifer M. Koskinen
Charlie Korman as Douglas and Kathleen McCall as Joy
(L-R) John Hutton, Sam Gregory and Michael Santo
Graeme Malcolm and Kathleen McCall
(Clockwise from top left) John Arp, John Hutton, Graeme Malcolm, Kathleen McCall and Charlie Korman
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