MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

There is a delightfully raucous and surprisingly uproarious production of the Shakespeare classic Much Ado About Nothing currently on stage at Ojai’s beautiful Libbey Bowl. Set at the height of the roaring 20’s, this version of the Bard’s most well-known battle of the sexes boasts compelling performances and effective technical elements, as well as a Broadway-style Charleston dance number, all within picturesque surroundings that seem built to suit.

The newly renovated bowl inside Libbey Park in the heart of charming downtown Ojai is an exquisite and accommodating venue for a wide variety of outdoor spectacles. Offering a full slate of concerts and events, the large and visually appealing space proves also to be a perfect fit for Shakespeare’s hilarious work Much Ado About Nothing. This production, jointly produced by Thousand Oaks Repertory& G.A.T.E Players with the Ojai Players, is high on concept and even higher on enjoyment and execution.

Much Ado About Nothing has long been an audience favorite and is considered one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. It has been adapted for film multiple times, most notably in the 1993 Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson star-studded epic that gained popular acclaim. Much Ado About Nothing is primarily a love story between the quick-witted and self-assured Benedick (Andrew David James) and the hard and fast independent Beatrice (Laura Rearwin). The two swap verbal barbs to the delight of friends and family who eventually conspire to make the unlikely pair fall in love with one another. It is a match far different from the youthful and more vulnerable love between the beautiful Hero (Allison Chase Williams) and the easily swayed Claudio (Austin Miller), both of whom are targeted for sabotage by the wicked Don John (Jonathan Weiser).

Whilst the lovers love, Don John plots to destroy the peace built by his prominent brother, Don Pedro (Richard Osborn), who has newly returned from war and is now on leave with his men at the estate of Hero’s wealthy father, Leonato (Terry Fishman). Along the way, we meet the disheveled and consternated Dogberry (Richard Winterstein) and a cast of characters, each of whom are caught up in the frivolity of celebration and a firestorm of romance and scheming. Ultimately, both couples overcome the obstacles between them and all is well that ends well.

The performances are topnotch across the board, particularly in the principle roles. The capable actors are fully supported by an able and well-constructed 1920’s theme. Director Allan Hunt craftily spins this love story with dexterous use of music and dance. Hunt fully capitalizes on the talent he has assembled, including lead actors so comfortable in the language that it hardly seems out of place in the supposed setting of the flapper age. Choreographer Jeff Wallach provides authentic period dance numbers that lend the show added lift and the original music by composer Rick Rhodes fits seamlessly with Shakespeare’s original lyrics. The costumes are as beautiful as have been seen on the local stage in recent memory and the sound and lights fit well the open-air venue. What the set lacks in aesthetic beauty, it makes up for in practicality and versatility, and the judicious cut of the text keeps the show around a brisk 2 hours. Attention to detail is additionally evident in both the preshow musical group that adds melodic, renaissance-inspired tones to the evening as well as in the comic silent movie era chase scene that begins the second act.

With meaningful characters, nimble handling of the text, and a strong artistic vision, this Much Ado is very much about something and is a must see for all lovers of great entertainment and classic literature.

Much Ado About Nothing runs until July 22 at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai. http://www.gateplayers.org/

ROMEO AND JULIET

The epic beauty and timeless heartbreak of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is exemplified by the stunning costumes and strong performances in Shakespeare By the Sea’s current production in San Pedro.

The aging band shell at the well-known Point Fermin Park on the water in San Pedro has once again played host to the initial performances of Shakespeare by the Sea’s new season. It is a venue that is low on charm and often chilly, but experienced audience members prepare well to brave both the cold weather and limited bleacher-like seating in order to view this year’s well-conceived and deftly-executed romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet.
Upon arriving at the park, its sprawling landscape on the ocean may seem an unlikely fit for a play such as Romeo and Juliet. However, as the crowd gathers and the set takes shape before your eyes, it becomes clear that this venue has seen this many times before. The cast and crew work diligently to piece together the towering set, which although somewhat oddly configured, proves to suit well this difficult drama. The sound and lights are effective, though sitting directly under a speaker proved to be a mistake and the nippy breeze off the ocean make a warm coat and a blanket a necessity to say the least. However, this location is only one of many that this production is slated to visit during their multicity tour of the Southland. The vigor, pace and beauty of this production makes it worth a visit whenever the schedule brings them to a park near you.

The story of Romeo and Juliet is so well-known that it has become diluted and, even worse, cliché to modern audiences. However, the intricacy and depth of both language and story in this classic work is, without a doubt, inspiring and never fails to impress. Two young lovers, Romeo (Cylan Brown) and Juliet (Barbara Jean Urich), are kept apart by circumstances be yond their control. Spurred by passion, jealousy, and youthful miscalculation, they are ultimately done in by the time constraints and boundaries set for them by societal regulations and family expectations. Adding accelerant to the blazing fire of star-crossed love are the actions of the explosive Tybalt (Garret Replogle) and the mischievous Mercutio (Patrick Vest), each set on furthering the conflict that exists between their families. It is a tale that has been told perhaps more times than any other, and this production shows why it is still relevant today.

The acting is superlative for the most part, with its strength laying with the overall accomplishment of the cast as a whole. Brown is impassioned and devoted to his role as the head over heels boy next door. Urich lights up the stage, even across the expansive crowd some 400 people deep. Vest and Replogle are both more than able in their roles and draw the audience in through their conflict. The youthfulness that is written into the script is absent, but the quality of performers in most of the roles makes up for that and then some. Additional talent is well placed in supporting roles with well-delivered contributions being made by Ben Hackney, David Graham, Casey Kooyman,  and Josh Aguilar, among others. The direction by Stephanie Coltrin is complete and most skillful in weaving a story that is filled with import and emotion. The musical score adds enormity and depth, as do the extraordinary costumes and effective technical elements.

This is, without a doubt, a "Shakespeare in the Park" experience. Actors can be seen well before they enter the scene and audience members attend with a wide variance of attention levels. Fully costumed actors sell raffle tickets before the show and at intermission, and the inevitable pre-show speech requesting financial support takes something away from the overall artistic validity. However, the fact that these productions are presented free of charge to audiences without a doubt overshadows the measures needed to keep the company afloat. Touring a show of this magnitude cannot be an easy task and accolades should be heaped upon those who can do it with both artistic success and financial viability. Romeo and Juliet is as grand as it is gorgeous and delivers a more than gratifying night of theatre in the open air.

Shakespeare by the Sea’s Romeo and Juliet tours Southern California cities through Aug. 10, 2012. http://www.shakespearebythesea.org/index.php