All the Devils Are Here

 All the Devils Are Here
How Shakespeare Invented the Villain
DR 2 (Daryl Roth) Theatre
December 16, 2023 

Photo courtesy of All the Devils Are Here

In his one-person show, All the Devils Are Here, Patrick Page reaches deep into your soul and takes you on a journey to understanding the evil that lurks within.  He analyzes the development of William Shakespeare’s plays, as reflected in the evolution of his dark, villainous characters.  Director Simon Godwin collaborates with Mr. Page to fully embody these multidimensional, psychologically complex characters, who are driven by revenge, greed, ambition, and fear.

Mr. Page tells the story of the progression of Shakespeare’s philosophy and the evolution of his skills as a playwright and artist.  He takes a chronological looks at Shakespeare’s work, focusing on the villain characters to illustrate the growth and change in Shakespeare’s understanding of human nature.  He performs monologues, and sometimes scenes, from Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Macbeth, The Tempest, Richard III, and Twelfth Night.  His interpretation of these evil characters proves the thesis he claims in his narrative.  We feel Shylock’s thirst for revenge.  We grasp Richard III’s acceptance of his dark nature and aspiration of supremacy.  We witness Iago’s sociopathic manipulation.  We laugh at Malvolio’s pompous desire for power.  We sympathize with Claudius in his moment of prayer.  We follow Macbeth’s decision to commit the heinous act that severely alters the trajectory of his life.  We appreciate Prospero’s release of vengeance and acceptance of forgiveness.  This all exemplifies how William Shakespeare invented the villain by making them three dimensional, identifiable, and empathetic.  

Patrick Page
Photo courtesy of All the Devils Are Here

Mr. Page’s knowledge of Shakespeare’s canon of plays and the context in which his characters take action is expansive and admirable.  His skill in focusing this expertise to create truthful moments of passion is truly mesmerizing.  

All the Devils Are Here is playing at the DR2 Theatre through February 25.  It is an inspiring piece of theatre.  Get a ticket right away! 

Domenick Danza

Timon of Athens

Timon of Athens

Theatre for a New Audience

Polonsky Shakespeare Center

January 25, 2019

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

The Theatre for a New Audience production of Timon of Athens leaves you with a lot to think about.  This lesser known William Shakespeare / Thomas Middleton play has been edited by Emily Burns and Simon Godwin.  It places a clear focus on the value of selflessness and generosity, and makes a strong statement about mankind’s inability to honor and respect it.  Simon Godwin originally directed this production for the Royal Shakespeare Company in December, 2018.  Kathryn Hunter is brilliantly cast as Timon.  A number of actors play numerous roles, creating distinctive characters and building a strong through line of action. 

It is “sometime in the future” in Athens.  Timon (played by Kathryn Hunter) is entertaining a group of friends in her sumptuous home.  She showers them with gifts.  They adore and praise her.  She supports anyone in need and offers opportunity when citizens are down on their luck.  Her generosity is limitless.  When her creditors come to her demanding their due, she finds herself unable to pay.  She turns to her closest friends, who she supported, for assistance.  They refuse her.  As she faces bankruptcy, she invites them to her home for one final banquet.  She serves her guests bowls of blood.  She then sets her home on fire and removes herself from society.  She lives as a hermit, forgotten, resentful, and self-sufficient.  While digging for food, she unearths a chest of gold.  As word spreads of her newfound fortune, her former followers seek her out to renew their companionship. 

Arnie Burton & Kathryn Hunter
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Kathryn Hunter fills the stage as Timon, mesmerizing the audience and taking them along on her transformative journey.  The opulence, bounty, and light-hearted humor in the beginning of the play crumbles as the truth of Timon’s finances is revealed.  The atmosphere turns threatening and camaraderie dissolves.  It is a stunning portrayal of the unraveling of a society that places its primary value on monetary gain.  The second half of the production shifts as Timon becomes filled with resentment.  Ms. Hunter gallantly portrays this transformation with dexterity.  The sacrifices she makes of her newfound fortune shows that her heart is still intact, even though she has lost her faith in her fellow man. 

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Praises to Theatre for a New Audience for mounting this production.  Simon Godwin has masterfully brought this Shakespeare/Middleton work to a new, relevant light.  The cast is magnificent.  Timon of Athens runs downtown Brooklyn at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center through February 9.

Domenick Danza

Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure

Theatre for a New Audience

Polonsky Shakespeare Center

July 1, 2017

Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

The Theatre for a New Audience production of Measure for Measure brings this dark Shakespeare comedy to life with unexpected vim.  Director Simon Godwin sets the play in overtly promiscuous locations.  This strongly frames the need for severity and verifies the test for moral corruption.  As with every Theatre for a New Audience production this season, the design elements are well conceived and the casting is stupendous.

When the Duke (played by Jonathan Cake) is brought down by his own misconduct, he delegates his power to Angelo (played by Thomas Jay Ryan) in order to seek respite and reflect.  Angelo’s first act is to condemn Claudio (played by Leland Fowler) to death for lewd acts.  Claudio convinces his friend Lucio (played by Haynes Thigpen) to find his sister Isabella (played by Cara Ricketts) in order to persuade Angelo to be merciful.  Isabel, who is about to take her holy vows, agrees to speak on her brother’s behalf.  What ensues proves the Duke’s suspicion that corruption breeds from power.  He disguises himself as a monk to observe Angelo’s behavior and assist Claudio and Isabella in their fight for justice.

Thomas Ray Ryan & Cara Ricketts
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

Cara Ricketts, Thomas Jay Ryan, and Jonathan Cake fearlessly lead this amazing cast and take the audience on a phenomenal journey of desire, doubt, and righteousness.  Jonathan Cake is commanding and magnanimous as the Duke.  His character is both flawed and charming.  He is strong and magnetic in the follow through of his cunning plan to expose Angelo’s true self.  Cara Ricketts masterfully discovers and exposes the many layers in the character of Isabella.  Her fears, her beliefs, and her loyalty all combine to deliver Shakespeare’s words with a fervent focus.  Thomas Jay Ryan’s Angelo is obstinate and strong willed.  The glimpse into his soul and desire is surprising at first.  The severity of his force and shame is brutal and real.  These three actors make bold choices with subtle nuances that set the stage on fire and engage the audience on numerous levels.

Jonathan Cake
Photo courtesy of Theatre for a New Audience

The final act is superbly directed.  The action builds steadily, bringing all the elements of the story to climactic brilliance.  There are strong performances by Hayes Thigpen, Merritt Janson, Oberon K.A. Adjepong, Christopher Michael McFarland, and January LaVoy.

Measure for Measure is playing downtown Brooklyn at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center through July 16.  Don’t miss it! 

 

Domenick Danza

The Cherry Orchard

The Cherry Orchard

Roundabout Theatre Company

American Airlines Theatre

September 23, 2016

Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Stephen Karam’s new adaptation of The Cherry Orchard, presently in previews at Roundabout Theatre Company, is spectacular.  Mr. Karam brings Chekhov’s masterpiece into the 21^st century, making clear the economic class changes in Russia in 1904.  Director Simon Godwin highlights moments for each character that range from heartwarming to victorious to tragic.  Together this partnership takes the audience on a journey deep within their own fears, resistances, and futures.  They create a final act that is pertinent to present day class struggles. 

The Andreyevich family is facing bankruptcy.  Their estate, which includes their most valued cherry orchard, is soon to be auctioned off to pay their debts.  Ranevskaya (played by Diane Lane) returns from Paris in an attempt to unite with her family in saving the cherry orchard.  They face the monumental challenges that come with an unwillingness to accept their economic collapse and present circumstances.

Diane Lane & Harold Perrineau
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

Harold Perrineau is encouraging and confident as Lopakhin, whose father and grandfather were serf (slaves), once owned by the Andreyevich family.  The parallels of Tsar Alexander II’s Emancipation Reform of 1861 to Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 are clear and effective.  Lopakhin’s sense of empowerment is victorious when he purchases the cherry orchard at auction.  It is a severely jubilant moment that packs a mighty punch to the Andreyevich family.  Mr. Perrineau’s portrayal is authentic and truthful. 

Led by Diane Lane, the entire cast is outstanding.  She is revered, tender, and stoic as Ranevskaya.  Ms. Lane carries the grandeur of her character’s past as a protection from the future.  Her sense of hope and belief is powerful, and her loss and grief are devastating.  John Glover is charming, silly, and strong as her brother, Gaev.  The naiveté of his character brings levity to the seriousness of the family’s situation, which magnifies their downfall.  Joel Grey is sad and touching as Firs, the aging butler.  His grasp of the old ways is potent and eerie.  His timing and humor are endearing, illustrating a warm view of the family’s obsolete lifestyle.  There are also strong performances by Chuck Cooper, Tavi Gevinson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Kyle Beltran, Tina Benko, Susannah Flood, and Quinn Mattfeld. 

The set design by Scott Pask is brilliant.  His powerful images and choices of symbols conjure broad emotions that force the audience to delve into their imagination.  This is further enhanced by the lighting design of Donald Holder.  Michael Krass’ costume designs span centuries, thus pushing the perspective into the present.  Together these designers make the family’s loss and reluctant acceptance of change a valid occurrence to a present day audience.

Celia Keenan-Bolger, Diane lane, Tavi Gevinson, & Kyle Beltran
Photo courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company

This production is not to be missed.  Chekhov’s complex characters and deeply emotional play is relevant and alive in Mr. Karam’s new version.  The Cherry Orchard runs at the American Airlines Theatre through December 4.

Domenick Danza