The Winter’s Tale

The Winter’s Tale

Theatre for a New Audience

Polonsky Shakespeare Center

March 17, 2018

Photo courtesy of
Theatre for a New Audience

The Theatre for a New Audience production of The Winter’s Tale brings brilliant clarity to Shakespeare’s unique two part story.  The first half is dark and tragic, fueled by a King’s jealous passion.  The second part transitions into a love story full of redemption and forgiveness.  Director Arin Arbus magnificently weaves Shakespeare’s mixture of genres.  As the play shifts locations before the intermission, so does the tone, texture, and timing.  The cast seamlessly carries the audience through the journey to Shakespeare’s comic and enchanted conclusion.

When Leontes, King of Sicilia (played by Anatol Yusef), suspects his wife Hermione (played by Kelly Curran) of infidelity with his friend Polixenes, King of Bohemia (played by Dion Mucciacito), he lets his jealous nature rule his decision making.  He has Hermione arrested and orders Camillo (played by Michael Rogers) to kill Polixenes.  Camillo sees the error in Leontes’ judgement, vows loyalty to Polixenes, and exiles himself to Bohemia.  While imprisoned, Hermione gives birth to a daughter, who Leontes suspects is not his.  He sends Antigonus (played by Oberon K. A. Adjepong) to abandon the infant in a far off, baron location.  While on trial, Hermione collapses after hearing that her son, Prince Mamillius (played by Eli Rayman) has died of grief.  Shortly after the Oracle of Delphi confirms Hermione’s innocence, Paulina, the Queen’s lady-in-waiting (played by Mahira Kakkar), delivers the tragic news that she has died.     

The Cast of The Winter's Tale
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Antigonus chooses to leave the infant princess in Bohemia with a chest of gold and jewels that belonged to Hermione.  He defends the infant from a bear attack, and is himself devoured.  A shepherd and his son (played by John Keating and Ed Malone) find the child, name her Perdita, and raise her as their own.  Sixteen years pass and Perdita (played by Nicole Rodenburg) falls in love with Polixenes’ son Florizel (played by Eddie Ray Jackson).  He defies his father by vowing to marry her.  Camillo, in an effort to make amends with Leontes, tells Florizel to take his bride to Sicilia and ask Leontes to marry them.  When they arrive in Bohemia, it is discovered that Perdita is heir to the throne of Sicilia.  The love between her and Florizel reunites Leontes with Polixenes.  In the final moment of the story, Paulina unveils a statue of Hermione.  Leontes becomes emotional at the excellence of the likeness.  His remorse and love is so great that the stature is brought to life. 

Director Arin Arbus
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

The cast brings truth to the depth of emotion in the tragic first half of the show, then joy to the lighthearted frolic of the second half.  All the characters develop over the sixteen year time span between these sections.  Ms. Arbus skillfully illustrates Shakespeare’s theme of atonement and forgiveness that comes with the passage of time.  Mahira Kakkar (as Paulina) creates a clear through line of this theme with the persistence and fortitude in her character.  Her transition of age and demeanor are concise.  Her character observes the growth and change of Leontes, waiting to unveil the statue of Hermione until he is truly rehabilitated.  Is it magic, or her and Hermione’s secret plan to stay hidden until the time is right?  See the production and decide for yourself.

The Winter’s Tale is playing at Theatre for a New Audience’s Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Downtown Brooklyn through April 15.

Domenick Danza