The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Critics poo-poo Shakespeare's early comedy because it lacks the depth, and marbled metaphors, of the later works. Taken on it's own, however, Two Gents moves well, builds complications out of complications (almost mathematically), and encourages involvement. It's about love and loyalty and when the twain clash. Valentine and Proteus begin like Damon and Pythias. But "blind" love metamorphoses the aptly-named Proteus, drawing out a meaner side and purging both friends of their adolescence. Caught in between, Silvia and Julia demonstrate remarkable maturity and, in Julia's case, forgiveness (the play is a romance, so audiences expect great leaps, but her forgiveness of Proteus is more a moonshot). For USD, director Richard Seer reset the play in the late 19th, early 20th century of bicycles and Scott Joplin. The well-spoken cast (though some could speak up) wears Michelle Hunt Souza's apt costumes. The leads, especially Andrew Dahl's Proteus, fill their lines with the energy, and "uncertain glory," of young love. Andrew Hutcheson, who plays Launce, merits a Medal of Valor for performing with his dog Crab, who, doesn't just steal scenes (with a slight turning of the head, or just doing nothing), he ABSCONDS with them.
Worth a try.
When
Ongoing until Sunday, November 22, 2009
Hours
| Sundays, 2pm & 7pm |
| Saturdays, 8pm |