BWW Interviews: Jacqueline Antaramian as Dionyza in PERICLES at The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is closing their 51st season with a new production of Shakespeare's Pericles. Performances begin December 4th and continue through December 29th at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. Directed by Brian Crowe, the cast includes Jacqueline Antaramian as Dionyza. We had the opportunity to interview her during a break in the show's busy production schedule.

Inspired by ancient Greek mythology, William Shakespeare's Pericles carries audiences on a voyage across the ancient Mediterranean, encountering kings, goddesses, pirates, pimps, and magicians along the way. Pericles, Prince of Tyre, discovers a terrible secret in the court of Antioch, and flees, fearing for his life. Thus begins his long and perilous odyssey, filled with adventure, betrayal, joy, sorrow and ultimately, reunion, redemption and renewal.

Company member Jacqueline Antaramian portrays Dionyza and the goddess Diana in her third season with the Theatre where she has performed as Emilia in Othello and Gertrude in Hamlet. She recently appeared on Broadway in Soul Doctor as well as in Coram Boy, Julius Caesar, with Denzel Washington, and covered the Broadway lead roles of Mary Stuart in Mary Stuart, and Maria Callas in Master Class. Antaramian's film and television credits include Side Effects, The Siege, Fringe, Lipstick Jungle, Third Watch, Taxi Brooklyn, Law and Order, and The Sopranos.

Antaramian feels very fortunate that her career has given her the opportunity to play contemporary, political, musical, and many, many classical roles. Yet, if she had a favorite, "it would be doing Shakespeare. Learning and exploring, with each and every role, each and every time, the words of this great master, his heart, his poetry, and his immense understanding of humanity." She feels "humbled to explore what it is to perform Shakespeare's roles. I am truly presented with a gift every time I get the chance to explore his plays."

Antaramian was eager to prepare for her dual roles in The Shakespeare Theatre's production of Pericles as the play was not wholly familiar to her. As always, she engaged in committed research and background of time and place, before embarking on the rehearsals.

Antaramian described the personality of Dionyza, a diabolical character. "She finds justification to do evil. There are a lot of human beings in the world who rectify the validity of horrid acts because of perceived slights...theatrically, this is one of those early complex, painfully human characters." Even so, Antaramian recognizes the significance of the character. "What seems justifiable to this character, is quite (rightly) unjustifiable to society. But she is a necessary foil, in this expansive journey of the main character Pericles."

Antaramian believes that Pericles has elements that will please metropolitan area audiences. "Pericles has wonderfully satisfying theatrical elements, when it comes to storytelling. It relays the universal story about adventures that make a potentially good young man, and in this case, king, into an excellent older man, and ruler. It also has the lovely epic quality of adventure on a grand scale. It is magical and full of redemption...just the treat for the holidays, and most satisfyingly, it has poetic justice. The good get their reward, while the bad get their just desserts. It is a reflective and rewarding experience."

Antaramian spoke of working at The Shakespeare Theatre's Artistic Director Bonnie Monte, leading man Jon Barker, and Director Brian Crowe. "The mission and integrity of the artistic staff makes The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey a wonderful place to work. Bonnie Monte's mission respects and drives classical works, with integrity and love for the artist as well. It is a beautiful artistic home to come to in New Jersey. Brian Crowe is a wonderful director-specific and thorough. He has sculpted and directed Pericles with an emphasis on clarity and storytelling. Jon Barker in the lead role of Pericles is going to be wonderful. I have done Hamlet and Othello with him; he is a smart, wonderful, hard-working actor."

Performances of Pericles begin December 4th and continue through December 29th at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Individual tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the box office at 973-408-5600 or by visiting www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Performances are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Individual tickets range from $35 to $70; student rush tickets are available 30 minutes prior to curtain for $15.

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