Written by Brae Foust
Where would we be without Shakespeare? Well, we’d be in a world where the phrase “All the world’s a stage” wouldn’t exist. Shakespeare in Love is a play based on the 1998 film of the same title, performed by the Lyric cast and directed by Billie Harvey. It tells the fictional love affair of young Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps. A series of events during this affair also leads the path for Romeo and Juliet to come alive, but at a grave cost for young Shakespeare. Will this forbidden love end as tragic as the actual tragic play?
I loved the stage design for this show, and the way the cast was able change scene and show off how wonderful the sets looked was a nice touch. Aside from maybe one spot where an actor was off marker for a spotlight, the lighting was smooth in transition and elegant blending in colors for a sunset to appear backstage or to show how dirty old England can look in the light. I can’t also forget about the costume designs which looked silky and amazing, my favorite being the Queen, played exquisitely by Tracy Brandon Tucker.
I have to say the credit of this play goes to the main leads of Shakespeare, played by Alexander Glass, and Viola, played by Leslie Ranne. The chemistry between these two feels like they were a match made in heaven, or at least that’s what I could feel in their performances. Of course, their performances enhance the rest of the cast, including Henslowe, played by Drex Holt, who is as desperate for Shakespeare to have a big hit. I also loved the combo of Viola and her nurse, played by Holli Blanton, who has the motherly feel for Viola as well as the feel of a best friend. And I can’t not mention the performance of Marlowe, played by Levi Packer, who is shown to give Shakespeare the inspiration needed to write the many plays to come.
I can’t name all the performers here, but they all deserve praise for bring the livelihood of old England to life and they all deserve their flowers. Though I can see this as more of a mixture of comedy and tragedy, the play gives space for both parts to breathe. Genuinely a fine performance and a fine story to behold. The Lyric will be performing this show from the 14th to the 30th of March. To purchase your tickets or look at start times, you can go online at brownwoodlyrictheatre.com and they’ll be performing at the Lyric Theater at 318 Center Avenue. Go out and witness a comedic take on how the most well-known love story came to be.
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