I was invited to this wonderful opening night at the Georgia Shakespeare at Oglethorpe and did not disappoint. I must admit, though, that within 5 minutes of the show I was reciting the lines before they ended. It bothered me a bit and at the first intermission I turned to my companion and said "I've done this show before." He looked at me funny and made some comment about senility. Evidently I had either stage managed this show or ran crew. Later I found out I did run Sound and Lights at the Academy Theatre for this production in 2007.
But back to the show.
At the opening, the Artistic Director, Richard Garner, explained that this show would be in rep with two other wonderful shows, "Illyria and "Much Ado About Nothing." So as the lights dimmed and the music came up, I checked out the simple set. Yes, it had to be simple for a show in rep. The single red chandelier, the green platforms that made the walls and doors, and the furniture in which everyone sat or posed around. The blocking of the first scene was wonderful, as this is a show of words and those richly told are very important. Thus, the actors have to make the rest of it believable, with their movements and intentions of movements. Their body language in and of itself made this show hilarious. Props to Sabin Epstein for the blocking and finding the humor in little things like eyes and handshakes. Christine Turbitt did the costumes and while they were fitting for the period of the play, the dresses on Lady Bracknell and her daughter, Gwendolyn, were a bit much. I'd like to see more of the actor and their faces than the fabric of the time. The men were perfect and they looked very easy to move in for all that they had to do.
I must give props to Margo Kuhne for her cast - well done, Madam Stage Manager. :) Well-called show and working with the set changes and waiting patiently for the audience to get back to their seats for each act.
I love seeing Joe Knezevich in anything that he's in. So this, for me, was no surprise. He is always funny, always on point and just a joy in any character he portrays. In this, with the dire situation of his love and the false name, and finding out so much as the show goes on, he made this a real treat for the audience. Surprisingly entertaining was Caleb Clark - oh, my, God!!! I loved him from his first 5 sentences!! He's mannerisms, his wit, his determination - just everything that brought Algernon to life! I was delighted to see Mr. Allen O'Reilly on stage. After watching him work as a director, to see him on stage performing with all the points of concentrated interest that he was trying to get out of his actors in "Rumors" just made me think "Wow- a teacher that practices what he preaches."
How often do ya get to see that?
Very surprising for me to see Chris Kayser play a role that was not the center of the show. He did it well and he was very funny as Merriman. Of note always is Mark Cabus who played Lady Bracknell. He carried himself better in that dress and hat than most women do in today's society. His language was superb in reprimanded those that needed it and changing his mind when it suited the character. The stone glances of disapproval had my entire row in the audience in stitches.
Overall an enjoyable evening of theater and good, rich language. Well done to the cast and I wholeheartedly recommend this to all my friends, co-workers, associates and fellow theater-lovers.
