Storyline: As Edward IV approaches his death late in the fifteenth century,
his brother Richard sets about to remove all those who might gain the throne
in his place. He arranges the deaths of his other brother and his children,
his own nephews and others who stand in his way while those he doesn’t kill
he imprisons. But insurrection mounts and Richard faces his foes on the
battlefield. He is out maneuvered and slain, bringing an end to the War of
the Roses and to what the victor refers to as “these bloody days.”
Greenleaf makes the deformations of his Richard the
centerpiece of the performance. His hump back, withered arm and pronounced
limp make it almost unnecessary to tell the audience in Shakespeare's words
that he is "Deformed, unfinish'd, sent
before my time into this breathing world." His most horrid deformations,
however, are of the soul and the character. While Shakespeare's version of
the story may be lousy history, it is compelling theater when delivered with
brio, and Greenleaf handles the task well.
The large cast is a game group, with a good deal of
intensity evident in even the smaller roles, and a collective emphasis on
clarity of delivery of the sometimes difficult dialogue. No one seems to
rush over other people's lines, and, as a result, the story is clearly told.
Among the more enjoyable performances, other than those of the women
mentioned above, are those from Carl Brant Long as the principled Lord
Hastings who is dispatched by Richard before intermission. Later he creates
a very different persona as he doubles a different role for the second half
of the show.
Costuming a period production of a
Shakespeare history play is always a challenge and that challenge is well
met here by Elizabeth Vernaci and director Schulman with the help of a six
member construction team and costume loans from companies throughout the
region. The final sword fight is energetic and effective, quite above the
usual standard for community theater productions. Schulman's vision for the
production included a video presentation involving a "TV Host," but the
video equipment malfunctioned opening weekend. The company will attempt to
restore the video to the production for the final performances.
Written by William Shakespeare. Directed by
Susan Schulman. Fight direction by Karen Schlumpf, Brian Farrell and Al
Myska. Design: Gary Augustine (set) Elizabeth Vernaci and Susan Schulman
(costumes) James Robertson (lights) Robert Pierce (stage manager). Cast:
Manny Argueta, Gary Augustine, Sara Bickler, Kristine Cornils, Jes
Decker, Mark Edwards, Andrew Greenleaf, Ty Hallmark, Peggy Jones, Andrew
Langan, Christine Lange, Daniel Lavanga, Carl Brandt Long, Lee McKenna,
Elizabeth Miller, Robert Colby Perkins, Jr., Carolyn Piccotti, Steven
Rosenthal, Jay Tilley, David Van Ormer, Jim Vincent, Kathryn Wanschura. |
