William Shakespeare

REVIEW:  Ambition and betrayal take center stage in Dream Role Players production of Shakespeare’s classic  ‘Othello’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

Alarming what whispers and rumors can create.

With moving direction by Alan White, Dream Role Players continues William Shakespeare’s classic production, Othello live and in person at Chelsea Theatre Works at the Black Box Theatre in Chelsea, Massachusetts through Saturday, March 30.  This show is general admission with pay-what-you-can options and is not suitable for children.  It is their first play performed in an indoor setting and runs two hours and 45 minutes including one 15 minute intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Dayenne CB Walters and Luis Negrón in Dream Role Players ‘Othello’ Photo credit Sushmita Udoshi 

Set in Venice in the 1570’s, Shakespeare’s Othello focuses on General Othello, in a searing depiction by Vincent Ernest Siders, who is madly in love and secretly marries Elisabet “Lisa” Ober as Desdemona to Eric Cheung as Desdemona’s father Brabantio’s fury and dismay that she married a Moor.  Othello also promotes Dom Carter as Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of Dayenne CB Walters as Iago and thus begins stealthy acts of treachery.

Elisabet “Lisa” Ober and Vincent Ernest Siders in Dream Role Players ‘Othello’ Photo credit Sushmita Udoshi 

From distinguished uniforms decorated with silver and gold adornments and dapper suits to colorful flowing dresses, costume designer Atlas Mendoza carefully illustrates each character’s distinctive traits.  It was particularly notable to see Iago’s bright red socks hidden just underneath Walters’s suit to indicate that things are not all that they seem.  Lighting designer Richie DeJesus not only creates mood-induced lighting that hints at the mood of each scene, but the simple staging which includes four multipurpose chairs and later an elaborate bed leaves plenty of room for this interactive cast to shine in performances that are not limited to the stage.

Dom Carter and Vincent Ernest Siders in Dream Role Players ‘Othello’ Photo credit to Sushmita Udoshi 

Dream Role Players provide opportunities for individuals to perform their dream roles and Othello boasts an enthusiastic cast who skillfully sinks their teeth into their performances.  With a sly smile, Luis Negrón offers a fervent portrayal of Rodrigo particularly in heated discussions with Dayenne CB Walters as conniving Iago.  Walters epitomizes Iago with shifting eyes while displaying disquieting and calculated practicality.  Walters brilliantly plots and schemes while displaying masked charm and manipulative glee. 

Dom Carter and Dayenne CB Walters in Dream Role Players ‘Othello’ Photo credit Sushmita Udoshi 

Dom Carter is amiable as sympathetic and gentlemanly Cassio as he shares some mystifying chemistry with Vidisha Agarwalla as Bianca while Candis Hilton is impressive as mysterious and independent-minded Amelia.  It is endearing to watch Elisabet “Lisa” Ober as strong willed, adoring, and gentle Desdemona who shares boisterous and captivating chemistry with Siders as Othello, but the most riveting encounters occur between Siders as Othello and Walters as Iago.  Siders is a towering and charismatic presence as Othello with rich and powerful vocals who is as suave and lovable as he is intimidating.  Matched by Walters as elusive Iago, the two enact a game of cat and mouse with a mounting intensity that left me at the edge of my seat. 

Dream Role Players ‘Othello’ Full Cast Photo credit Sushmita Udoshi 

With moving direction by Alan White, Dream Role Players continues William Shakespeare’s classic production, Othello live and in person at Chelsea Theatre Works at the Black Box Theatre in Chelsea, Massachusetts through Saturday, March 30.  This show is general admission with pay-what-you-can options and is not suitable for children.  It is their first play performed in an indoor setting and runs two hours and 45 minutes including one 15 minute intermission.   Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Theatre@First delivers a compelling and haunting ‘Hamlet’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, William Shakespeare’s work has garnered the most screen adaptations of any author in history in any language.  Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet boasts the most screen adaptations, but it’s hard to imagine Hamlet being far behind.

Shakespeare’s Hamlet has taken the stage and screen by storm from looser adaptations such as Disney’s stunning The Lion King in musical, animated, and live action form to Shakespeare on the Common to several films starring everyone from Laurence Olivier to Mel Gibson to Benedict Cumberbatch.  Why?  It’s a thrilling classic tale beloved by many about love, betrayal, and retribution with a haunting twist.

Theatre@FIrst Hamlet cast Johanna Bobrow

The cast of Theatre@First’s ‘Hamlet’ Photo courtesy of Johanna Bobrow/Theatre@First

Directed purposefully by Elizabeth Hunter, Theatre@First continues Shakespeare’s Hamlet through Saturday, November 23 at Unity Somerville in Somerville, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information and tickets.

Not a bad seat in the house as the audience gathered in Unity Somerville’s church basement for Theatre@First’s Hamlet.  The show is an immersive experience as the production expands beyond the stage and cast members can enter from anywhere in the venue.

Shakespeare’s Hamlet is about a Prince of Denmark who discovers his mother has married his uncle after his father has been murdered.  An urgent message inspires Hamlet to believe “something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”

Theatre@First’s Hamlet is a stylish, compelling drama that boasts some iridescent and impressive special effects as a translucent figure paces from a mysterious location.  It is not revealed which actor portrays that particular figure, but his moving and affecting presence is a highlight of the production.

Theatre@First Hamlet Laertes Nathan Phillip Andrew Harrington as Polonius and Evelyne Cardella Ophelia Johanna Bobrow

Clowning…. Nathan Phillip Johnson as Laertes, Andrew Harrington as Polonius and Evelyne Cardella as Ophelia Photo courtesy of Johanna Bobrow/Theatre@First

The show also blends the contemporary with the historical through its more casual tone and costume choices while Shakespeare’s alluring text and action sequences remain the same.  Carolyn Jones’s and Katie Caroll’s costume design nods to the late Middle Ages setting in Elsinore, Denmark while also boasting a contemporary flair.  For example, Hatem Adell portrays Hamlet wearing stone washed jeans and a crown on his t-shirt while Gertrude, depicted by Ron Lacey, wears a gown more faithful to the historical time period.  Makeup artists Meg Boeni, Mack Caroll, and their assistants did an extraordinary job transforming the cast into their respective roles.

Hamlet features a capable cast that occasionally engages the audience.  The dialogue can be a bit rushed at times in its conversational tone which lessens the gravitas of Shakespeare’s eloquent text.  Andrew Harrington is an unforgettable presence as Polonius.  Wearing a beard and a bow tie, Harrington has natural comic timing with a distinctive voice and lighthearted demeanor.  A bit of a scene stealer, he humorously engages the audience with his offhanded and frank observations while offering wisdom and insight to his children.

Theatre@First Hamlet Hatem Adell and Evelyne Cardella Ophelia Johanna Bobrow

Evelyne Cardella as Ophelia and Hatem Adell as Hamlet Photo courtesy of Johanna Bobrow/Theatre@First

Evelyn Cardella glows as Ophelia with a wide smile, bright eyed virtue, and complete infatuation with Hamlet.  Playful and charming, Cardella has a sweet chemistry with Nathan Phillip Johnson as her brother, Laertes and Andrew Harrington as their warm and wise father, Polonius.  Cardella navigates the character with vulnerability and heartfelt poignancy as her emotions turn on a dime.

Theatre@First Hamlet Nathan Philip Johnson as Laertes and Myra Hope Eskridge as Claudius Johanna Bobrow

Nathan Phillip Johnson as Laertes and Myra Hope Eskridge as Claudius Photo courtesy of Johanna Bobrow/Theatre@First

Hatem Adell certainly has exacted the alarming rage expected of Hamlet in the face of betrayal.  Adell delivers the famous “To Be or Not to Be” soliloquy with finesse.  He also excels at Hamlet’s darkly playful demeanor, especially in a powerful scene alone with Ophelia.  Nathan Phillip Johnson also gives a memorable performance as valiant and forthright Laertes, infusing a natural charisma in each scene.

Myra Hope Eskridge as Claudius delivers a suave poker face, but lacks the devious nature expected of the character.  Claudius is a calculating character and leaves little room for sympathy.  A brief exchange with Laertes later in the production showed just a glimpse of Claudius’s true nature.

Hamlet is not complete without the appearance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, portrayed with fresh humor by Chantelle Marshall and Julia Kennedy respectively.  They make a seeming pair of jolly, dimwitted bookends as Hamlet’s childhood friends, dressed identically and interchangeably.  However, they are more than meets the eye.

Theatre@First Hamlet Hatem Adell Rosencrantz Chantelle Marshall and Guildenstern Julia Kennedy Johanna Bobrow

Hatem Adell as Hamlet joined by Chantelle Marshall as Rosencrantz and Julia Kennedy as Guildenstern Photo courtesy of Johanna Bobrow/Theatre@First

Get thee to Theatre@First’s final performances of Hamlet through Saturday, November 23 at Unity Somerville, 6 William Street in Somerville, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information, tickets, and how to support Theatre@First.