BWW Reviews: Moving and Powerful PERICLES at Folger Theatre

PERICLES, on stage at the Folger Theatre, is a gorgeous and focused production - this from a work that travels through decades and around the Mediterranean in a plot that layers incest, mistaken death, pirates, murder plots and selling a woman into prostitution. But in director Joseph Haj's capable hands the lighter moments bring balance and relief so in the end PERICLES reminds us of both the deep challenges and moments of beauty and light in the human experience.

The production grabs our attention from the first moment with stars swirling throughout the theatre and evocative live music. The narrative gains significant clarity and momentum through Jack Herrick's music and lyrics that are highly atmospheric and help illuminate key moments. For example, baby Marina's nurse, Lychorida, shows us her bond and her sorrow, simply with a haunting hummed lullaby. Other songs highlight beautiful vocals, particularly the voice of Jennie Greenberry (cast as both Antiochus' daughter and Marina). Who exits a Shakespeare play whistling a tune? But these musical works are gripping and memorable.

This marks the first time PERICLES is performed at the Folger Theatre perhaps because the tale of the wandering Prince of Tyre does not fit handily into customary concepts of comedy or tragedy. But the director points out that "[s]een on its own terms, PERICLES is a playful, funny, moving, and powerful meditation on what it is to be human." Under his assured guidance, this production has already earned national acclaim from its original run last winter at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and it will head from here to Minneapolis' famed Guthrie Theater. At a time when our own modern world grapples with its response those forced to flee their homes, facing turbulent seas, political turmoil or famine, this production reminds us this is an ageless issue generations have struggled with. A portion of proceeds of PERICLES with be donated to support the work of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

We are ushered into the story of the Prince of Tyre through a narrator, Gower. As Gower, actor Armando Duran is compelling in the role, adding gravitas and bookending many scenes to offer perspective or bridge a scene. The narrator has a lot of heavy lifting to catch the audience up on many plot twists. We meet the young Prince of Tyre as he heads off to woo the daughter of King Antiochus, but through a riddle tattooed on the princess, Pericles discovers the incestuous relationship between father and daughter so Pericles hurriedly flees for his life. We next see the young prince in a new land, Tharsus, as he delivers corn to a country dying of famine and earns the gratitude of the king and queen. Upon leaving, the prince's fleet encounters a devastating storm; Pericles survives but his men and ships perish. He washes ashore near Pentapolis where through his skill in a tournament he meets and falls in love with the king's daughter, Thaisa, whom he marries. Later Pericles and pregnant wife set sail for Pericles' homeland but in the midst of a storm Thaisa seemingly dies giving birth to her daughter. She is buried at sea in an ornate trunk which makes its way to shore where she is discovered and revived. Thaisa retires to a temple, dedicating her life to the goddess Diana. In mourning, Pericles leaves his baby, named Marina for the sea, with the king and queen of Tharsus. But when as a young woman Marina begins to overshadow the monarch's own daughter, she is in short order left to die, kidnapped by pirates, sold to a brothel, then saves herself through her own compelling words and virtue. Meanwhile, Pericles has stirred himself from his long depression to reunite with his daughter and returns to Tharsus. Through lucky coincidences and the intersession of the goddess Diana, father and daughter, husband and wife, mother and daughter all rediscover each other. Pericles asks Thaisa to be "buried a second time within these arms." Confused? You won't be with the Folger production. Haj strings together great moments of exploration. His vision allows wonderful individual performances while stringing together highs and lows, laughs and pathos.

The ensemble is uniformly strong - many are artfully double- or even triple-cast yet create unique and memorable characters. Wayne T. Carr, a D.C. native in the title role, believably transitions from naïve and headstrong youngster to a broken man. Brooke Parks is effervescent as Thaisa, 180 degrees from her portrayal of the haughty cool of Dionyza, the queen of Tharsus. Jennie Greenberry we meet first as the damaged and dangerous daughter of Antiochus and our hearts go out to her again in Marina's travails. Scott Ripley will have you checking your program, unable to believe the same actor gives us the sinister king Antiochus, the beloved father and leader Simonides, and the sleazy brothel owner Pandar. Barzin Akhavan (Cleaon/Cerimon/Pirate), Darcy Danielson (Musician), Michael Gabriel Goodfriend (Lysimachus/Lord), Michael J. Hume (Helicanus/Fisherman/Bawd), Zlato Rizziolli (Lord/Sailor), Emily Serdahl (Lychorida/Diana), U. Jonathan Toppo (Thaliard/Fisherman/Boult/Man) and Samuel L. Wick (Sailor/Lord/Pirate) similarly take each moment to flesh out distinct and unforgettable characters.

The production elements add another rich layer to PERICLES. Scenic Designer Jan Chambers uses rocky layers and an inventive elevated platform to great effect. However the space is not limited to the stage itself - the director uses every inch of the theatre with actors using the center aisle or cowering under the lip of the stage. Francesca Talenti's video design is essential to the production, rendering the most brilliant moments of danger or wonder through artful projections. Sarah Lozoff, movement director, gives us not only lovely dance numbers as in the idyllic day in Pentapolis when Pericles and Thaisa fall in love, but we have vivid tempests and raucous moments as well. Rui Rita's lighting design gives us not only the dangerous storm but the soft light on the quiet beach when we discover that there is hope for the beloved Thaisa. Amadon Jaeger's sound design adds another essential layer. Rachel Barreto's costume design is one of the reasons the multiple casting was so successful; she also created beautiful tableaux such as the final scene with costumes in the soft greens and blues of sea glass battered in ocean storms for many years to render a quiet beauty.

PERICLES is a production of great weight and command while remaining completely approachable. It is a work of national importance that has already created a buzz with its premiere in Oregon; it is here for a short while before heading on to the Guthrie - don't miss it while you have the chance. Classical theatre at its best reminds us of the timeless nature of vast challenges, great celebrations, and all that unites us as humans.

Runtime: 2:20 plus one intermission

PERICLES by Shakespeare runs at the Folger Theatre (201 East Capitol Street, S.E.) through December 20. Performance times vary; for more information or to purchase tickets please visit Folger Theatre's website here.

Photos by Teresa Wood. From top: 1) The Goddess Diana (Emily Serdahl) smiles down on Pericles (Wayne T. Carr); 2) Pericles (Wayne T. Carr) braves out a storm at sea; 3) Gower (Armando Durán) introduces the play with, "To sing a song that old was sung..." Also pictured: Emily Serdahl and Cedric Lamar; 4) King Simonides (Scott Ripley) looks on as Pericles (Wayne T. Carr) and Thaisa (Brooke Parks) are wed; 5) Zlato Rizziolli, Emily Serdahl, Michael Gabriel Goodfriend and others dance during the festivities.

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