The Tempest

The Tempest

The Drilling Company

Bryant Park Shakespeare

September 1, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Bryant Park Shakespeare

Director Lukas Raphael brings The Drilling Company’s summer Shakespeare season to a stunning conclusion with his rendition of The Tempest at Bryant Park.  He states in the program notes, “While embracing the madness of our venue in Manhattan, it was important to focus the production and tell the story clearly, imaginatively, and immediately.”  He skillfully achieves this goal through collaboration with a brilliant cast and amazing composer, Natalie Smith.  Mr. Raphael hones in on the essence and power of Shakespeare’s tale, making it accessible and entertaining.

Prospero (played by Roger Rathburn), the former Duke of Milan, and his daughter, Miranda (played by Mary Linehan) have been living on a secluded island after forced exile twelve years ago.  He rules over Ariel, a spirit (played by Natalie Smith), and Caliban, an island native who formerly reigned over the island (played by Eric Paterniani).  Prospero conjures a mighty storm that causes a shipwreck.  Aboard the ship are Alonso, the King of Naples (played by Jack Sochet), and members of his courts, including his son Ferdinand (played by Bradford B. Frost).  They all become separated, and seek any advantage to obtain power.  It is Prospero’s plan for redemption through forgiveness that comes to fruition.

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Roger Rathburn is commanding as Prospero.  He creates a strong bond with Natalie Smith’s Ariel.  Jack Sochet portrays a wide range of emotion as Alonso.  He remains in control over the men of his court, while feeling a deep loss thinking his son Ferdinand died during the storm.  Bryce Dutton (as Sebastian), Michael Bernstein (as Antonio), Zach Guttmann (as Adrian), and Robert Arcaro (as Gonzalo) concisely illustrate the struggle between loyalty and betrayal that takes place in the minds of men of power.  Their scenes provide truth to the events that caused Prospero’s exile and propel the action forward. 

The true magic of this production takes place between Mary Linehan and Bradford B. Frost.  The innocence and naiveté of Ms. Linehan’s Miranda is sincere and genuine.  Her character is strongly rooted and sure of herself in the world her father built for her.  She is also eager to experience the newness of the world beyond its borders.  Mr. Frost’s Ferdinand is bold and brave.  His tenderness toward Miranda is endearing.  Together these two actors create true and honest moments of discovery.  Their chemistry is electric.  Their skills are sharp and focused.

Eric Paterniani, who is usually cast in the comic roles in The Drilling Company productions, is mesmerizing as Caliban.  He creates this “monster” character by making strong physical and vocal choices that create mystery and intrigue.  When he conspires with Jarrod Bates (Trinculo) and Andrew Gombas (Stephano), it is pure pandemonium.

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

You have one more weekend to see The Drilling Company’s production of The Tempest at Bryant Park (Friday and Saturday, September 8 & 9, at 7:00 PM).  It is your last chance for FREE summer Shakespeare.  Don’t miss it! 

Domenick Danza

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

The Drilling Company

Bryant Park Shakespeare

July 29, 2017

 

Photo courtesy of Bryan Park Shakespeare

The Drilling Company’s production of Twelfth Night fills Bryant Park with laughter and frivolity.  Director Jane Bradley sets her groovy rendition amid the 1960s free-loving sexual revolution.  Her eye for detail brings out the romantic comedy in Shakespeare’s bawdy, error filled, classic tale.  Her staging and timing keep the action flowing smoothly and the laughs erupting spontaneously.  According to her program notes, Ms. Bradley’s goal was to create a setting that is “peculiar, outrageous, and above all else, a delightful escape,” and she gallantly succeeds.  

Viola (played by Natalie Smith) washes up on the shores of Illyria after her ship is lost at sea.  She disguises herself as a man, Cesario, in order to present herself to Orsino (played by Emmanuel Elpenard), the Duke she remembers as a friend of her deceased father.  Orsino takes her in his service and sends her to deliver a message to his love, Countess Olivia (played by Kathleen Simmonds).  Olivia, uninterested in Orsino, is madly attracted to Cesario, and begins to pursue him, not realizing he is a she.  Meanwhile, her loyal steward, Malvolio (played by Lukas Raphael), is taunted by adversaries in courts, causing him to make a fool of himself to the Countess.  When Viola’s twin brother, Sebastian (played by Brandon Reilly), arrives in Illyria, he is mistaken for the disguised Viola, adding mayhem to the identity confusion. 

The cast of Twelfth Night
Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

This cast builds relationships that make the production ring true on many levels.  Emmanuel Elpenard is romantic, beguiling, and commanding as Duke Orsino.  He creates a strong bond with Natalie Smith’s Viola.  She is charming and resourceful, and keeps the audience absorbed and engaged throughout the show.  Kathleen Simmonds shines in her interpretation of Olivia.  She is dark, sexy, and bold, and equally matched by Lukas Raphael as Malvolio.  His skill gives him the range to play Malvolio’s serious, egotistical side and then effortlessly hit the comic timing in the later scenes.  Jack Socket (Sir Toby), Jarrod Bates (Sir Andrew), Haylee Louise Simmonds (Maria), and Rachel A. Collins (Fabian) deliver the laughs with warmth and heart by building honest camaraderie among their characters.  Rachel A. Collins’ physical characterization of Curio, a small role in two short scenes early in the play, is superb.  Brandon Reilly and Arif Silverman have a strong chemistry as Sebastian and Antonio that heightens the humor in the final scene as true identities are revealed.

Unfortunately, Twelfth Night only ran for one weekend in Bryant Park.  You will, however, have three weekends to see the upcoming production of The Tempest.  It opens August 25 and runs Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 PM through September 9.  It will be directed by Lukas Raphael, and is sure to be captivating.

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

In addition, be sure to see The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of Henry VI Part 3, directed by Artistic Director Hamilton Clancy.  It runs Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 PM through Aug. 12 at the Clemente Cultural & Educational Center Parking Lot.  Check the website for directions (shakespeareintheparkinglot.com).  All these shows are FREE.  You have no excuse not to attend. 

Domenick Danza

Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure

The Drilling Company

Bryant Park Shakespeare

September 2, 2016

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

The summer might be coming to an end, but there is one more free Bryant Park Shakespeare performance to enjoy.  The Drilling Company’s Measure for Measure is playing Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through September 17.  Director Hamilton Clancy brings life to one of Shakepeare’s darker comedies with a remarkable cast and colorful concept.  He sets the play in present day in Viennaville, Louisiana with singing and live music that frame the action and energize the pace.

The synopsis from The Drilling Company’s program:  “Mayor “Duke” Vincentio, seeing his beloved town torn by lax oversight of the law, leaves Emergency Financial Manager Angelo in charge of righting the city.  Angelo decides to begin arresting people for petty offenses and putting them to death to show he’s serious.  Claudio is thrown into prison for getting Juliet pregnant (different Juliet from Romeo).  He asks his pal Lucio if he’ll go to the Nunnery and ask his sister Isabella to plead for mercy for him.  She does.  The righteous manager sees an opportunity to manage more than the city.  Meanwhile, Vincentio disguises himself as a Friar, visits prison, learns of Angelo’s proposition to Isabella, and plots to help her win mercy for Claudio.”

The Stage at Bryant Park
Photo courtesy of Bryant Park Shakespeare

Lukas Raphael is cunning and unscrupulous as Angelo.  Ivory Aquino captures your heart as Isabella.  Together they are beguiling and generate startling intrigue through Shakespeare’s complex scenes.  Emanuel Elpernord commands the Bryant Park stage as Duke Vincentio.  Michael William Bernstein is captivating and entertaining as Lucio.  Jarrod Bates shines in every scene, skillfully portraying six distinct characters ranging from serious to slapstick, as well as playing the trumpet and mandolin.  Rachel A. Collins, Serena E. Miller, Aly Byatt, Eric Paterniani, Kendra Lee Oberhauser, TJ Wagner, Veronica Nolte, Andrew Dahreddine, and Wesley Zurick all create colorful and genuine characters who engage in truthful relationships which conjure a realistic setting that evokes the culture of the Louisiana.

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

End the summer season with quality outdoor Shakespeare that The Drilling Company is famous for.  Measure for Measure plays Thursday nights at 9:00 and Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00 through September 17.  All performances are FREE at Bryant Park.

  

Domenick Danza