Review: KING LEAR at Little Door Theatre is Dynamic and Visually Beautiful!

King Lear is a splendid sight to see currently running at Little Door Theatre in Warren. Directed by owner and artistic director of the company, Shannon Hurst, the show uses minimum props and sets, beautiful visualizations through movement and lights, and allows the audience to focus on the talented performances of the cast.

This is a very unique way to put on a Shakespearian production and from start to finish the whole show is visually appealing. The moment the lights go dark, the music starts and the cast walks out to this interesting movement moment and the audience knows they are not in for a typical Shakespearian production - and it only builds from there. Hurst did a fantastic job with her choices as director with the minimalism and choosing to let the cast really shine in the roles and also use movement scenes during the show to push along the plot line. The lighting and music choices during the show were also superb. Bravo on an excellent use of space to make such a dynamic and visually beautiful production King Lear!

The cast of the show worked incredibly well together to bring King Lear to life. Andrew McMechan played the role of King Lear. McMechan is strong force on stage; someone that it is hard not to watch. While watching McMechan on stage, it is difficult to remember that he is an actor and not actually King Lear slowly losing everything and trying to grasp at anything because he does such an excellent job at making the audience forget they are watching a play. JM Ethridge played the role the Fool. Ethridge steals the show. Her comedic timing, sly facial expressions, delivering Shakespeare in song, and honestly, sometimes just being there on stage make her the one to watch. Tim Falk played the role of Edgar. When Falk first comes on stage, he is easy to be overlooked because there is a lot that is happening in the show, but as time goes on he shows what an outstanding actor he truly is. Falk has no fear - whether he is on stage as the straight-laced Edgar or when Edgar is hiding in the woods as Crazy Tom - he is fearless completely putting his all into the role and it is marvelous to witness. The rest of the cast is rounded out by Maggie Alger (Goneril), Danielle Peck (Regan), Allie Jackson (Cordelia), KT Bennett (Gloucester), Daniel Drobot (Edmund), Kez Settle (Kent), Marcus Laban (Cronwall), Craig Ester (Albany), Carlos Westbrook (King of France & Others), Mike Suchyta (Oswald & Others), and Roman D'Ambrosio (Oswald & Others).

King Lear at Little Door Theatre is a one in lifetime experience to a see this Shakespearian play put on in a way such as this. It is minimalistic with amazing lights and sound filled with movement and it is performed by an exceptionally talented cast. If you have a chance, head over to the Little Door Theatre in Warren and see King Lear!

King Lear is currently running until December 17th at Little Door Theatre in Warren. For more information or tickets, visit www.littledoortheatre.com.

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