The Merry Wives of Windsor
review by: Darrell Poe
Director Bob Smith - a self proclaimed Shakespeare fanatic - takes the helm of this, Vpstart Crow's latest production, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Smith's love of Shakespeare is evident in this rendition - set modern day, but using an unedited (I dare say uncut) script. The first act is 90... (yes 90) minutes, followed by a brief intermission, and a 40 minute second act. Fret not - to this reviewer, overall it was 145 minutes well spent.
Aesthetically, the show excels - smartly dressed players, and a clean, simple set leave little to distract you as the story unfolds. The entire show is set inside the fictional establishment - Windosr Coffee, which consists of a leather couch, a small table and two chairs. My only complaint regarding the set was a poorly painted coffee bar. I would have preferred to see a solid color - as it was the bar looked unfinished. Nonetheless - there is no question when you enter the theater that you're looking at a coffee shop in. Above the bar is a large flat screen monitor upon which is the menu for Windsor Coffee.
Fresh off his portrayal of Glen Gulia in PWLT's rousing success - The Wedding Singer - Jay Tilley takes on another stand up guy in the role of Sir John Falstaff - the portly slime ball who plots to cuckold the husbands of Windsor by wooing their merry wives. Tilley's mastery of the language, and energy in the role make his character very fun to watch. Local favorite Aimee Snow plays the confident, counter-plotting Mistress Page, who (along with her compatriot, Mistress Ford - played by newcomer Kecia Campbell) seek to bring ruin and sheer embarrassment onto the scheming Falstaff. Hilarity, of course, ensues.
Snow and Campbell own their roles, aptly bringing to life the modern day setting with some polished non-verbal acting, and impeccable comedic timing. Also of note is the physical timing of Timothy R. King - who plays Mr. Ford. On more than one occasion King takes Mr. Ford floundering about the stage a la Jim Carrey - much to the delight of the sizable audience in attendance.
The ensemble is largely passable with stand-out performances by Sara Joy Lebowitz as Mistress Quickly, and Jack Powers as Slendor, the would be wooer and ultimate buffoon. Powers portrayal of Slendor brought to mind Brad Pitt's performance in "Burn After Reading", while Lebowitz's grasp of the language helps keep the audience clued into the various plots and schemes taking place.
Another device attempting to keep the audience engaged throughout; Windspace - a fictional social network in the town of Windsor, frequented by all of the major players. Throughout the show, their status updates can be seen scrolling onto the monitor above the coffee house in the style of Facebook or Twitter. A fantastic idea if fully executed - this effort came off as amusing at first, but ultimately forgettable. I would've liked to see more done here. It's clear a lot of effort was put into the creation of the visuals, but the execution was - much like the coffee bar it resided over - unfinished.
All in all - for the avid Shakespeare fan, Merry Wives is a no-brainer. Paired with a casual dinner, this show makes for a perfect evening out.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is playing for one more weekend at The Hylton Performing Arts Center's Gregory Family Theater - for more info and to buy tickets visit www.VpstartCrow.com
review by: Darrell Poe
Director Bob Smith - a self proclaimed Shakespeare fanatic - takes the helm of this, Vpstart Crow's latest production, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Smith's love of Shakespeare is evident in this rendition - set modern day, but using an unedited (I dare say uncut) script. The first act is 90... (yes 90) minutes, followed by a brief intermission, and a 40 minute second act. Fret not - to this reviewer, overall it was 145 minutes well spent. Aesthetically, the show excels - smartly dressed players, and a clean, simple set leave little to distract you as the story unfolds. The entire show is set inside the fictional establishment - Windosr Coffee, which consists of a leather couch, a small table and two chairs. My only complaint regarding the set was a poorly painted coffee bar. I would have preferred to see a solid color - as it was the bar looked unfinished. Nonetheless - there is no question when you enter the theater that you're looking at a coffee shop in. Above the bar is a large flat screen monitor upon which is the menu for Windsor Coffee.
Fresh off his portrayal of Glen Gulia in PWLT's rousing success - The Wedding Singer - Jay Tilley takes on another stand up guy in the role of Sir John Falstaff - the portly slime ball who plots to cuckold the husbands of Windsor by wooing their merry wives. Tilley's mastery of the language, and energy in the role make his character very fun to watch. Local favorite Aimee Snow plays the confident, counter-plotting Mistress Page, who (along with her compatriot, Mistress Ford - played by newcomer Kecia Campbell) seek to bring ruin and sheer embarrassment onto the scheming Falstaff. Hilarity, of course, ensues.
Snow and Campbell own their roles, aptly bringing to life the modern day setting with some polished non-verbal acting, and impeccable comedic timing. Also of note is the physical timing of Timothy R. King - who plays Mr. Ford. On more than one occasion King takes Mr. Ford floundering about the stage a la Jim Carrey - much to the delight of the sizable audience in attendance.
The ensemble is largely passable with stand-out performances by Sara Joy Lebowitz as Mistress Quickly, and Jack Powers as Slendor, the would be wooer and ultimate buffoon. Powers portrayal of Slendor brought to mind Brad Pitt's performance in "Burn After Reading", while Lebowitz's grasp of the language helps keep the audience clued into the various plots and schemes taking place.
Another device attempting to keep the audience engaged throughout; Windspace - a fictional social network in the town of Windsor, frequented by all of the major players. Throughout the show, their status updates can be seen scrolling onto the monitor above the coffee house in the style of Facebook or Twitter. A fantastic idea if fully executed - this effort came off as amusing at first, but ultimately forgettable. I would've liked to see more done here. It's clear a lot of effort was put into the creation of the visuals, but the execution was - much like the coffee bar it resided over - unfinished.
All in all - for the avid Shakespeare fan, Merry Wives is a no-brainer. Paired with a casual dinner, this show makes for a perfect evening out.
The Merry Wives of Windsor is playing for one more weekend at The Hylton Performing Arts Center's Gregory Family Theater - for more info and to buy tickets visit www.VpstartCrow.com
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