Grade: B
The advantage for community theater groups mounting Shakespeare is that it brings in new blood to the organization. Shakespeare's plays have a broad appeal and the larger talent pool can produce a bumper crop of actors.
First time director Jamie Bruno used his contacts from the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival to help fill out his cast for the Players current production of “The Tempest,” one of the Bard's later and most ambitious works, and it paid dividends in a number of roles.
Chief among these are the performances by Will Dougherty as Caliban and Van Riker as Sebastian, two of the play's three villains. Both bring focus and power to their roles and Dougherty adds a commanding presence, which makes him a physical force on stage.
Just as effective as Antonio, the third villain is Auburn's Joel Weirick. Also very good from among the local actors are Lisa Rood and Andrew Rankin, as the love interest and the comic relief, respectively. There is an excellent performance by Alan Clugston as Gonzalo. Paul Wenderlich does some nice work as the King as well.
But the standout performances of the night come from Joe Pine as Ferdinand and Gabe Infantino as Stefano. Pine has won a number of awards for his work with the Players and with Harlequin Productions, and he deserves another one here. His performance is absolutely compelling and honest - a fine characterization from a very talented actor. Tangible Infantino has steadily become a dependable and skilled actor with both the Players and with Loose Ends, and here he takes his work to a new level.
Newcomer Tarin Bonvino proves that experience is not the be all and end all for performers with a convincing portrayal of Ariel. Anthony Bersani's Prospero was a bit unsteady when I saw the show in previews, but with his experience I have no doubt his performance will gel and meet the level of his castmates.
Bruno has made the most of his cast, but the musical interludes are a bit plodding and do nothing to advance the action. Granted, these are a problem for modern audiences even in professional productions, but cutting them might have improved the pace. Certainly there's no reason not to stage the Bard on this side of the Atlantic. The rhythms of American English dovetail nicely with Shakespeare's poetry.
And if you don't believe it, read those last two sentences again.
There is nothing objectionable for younger audiences.
If you go
What: “The Tempest”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Auburn Public Theater, 108 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: $12, $10 seniors and students
For details: Call 406-7435
First time director Jamie Bruno used his contacts from the Syracuse Shakespeare Festival to help fill out his cast for the Players current production of “The Tempest,” one of the Bard's later and most ambitious works, and it paid dividends in a number of roles.
Chief among these are the performances by Will Dougherty as Caliban and Van Riker as Sebastian, two of the play's three villains. Both bring focus and power to their roles and Dougherty adds a commanding presence, which makes him a physical force on stage.
Just as effective as Antonio, the third villain is Auburn's Joel Weirick. Also very good from among the local actors are Lisa Rood and Andrew Rankin, as the love interest and the comic relief, respectively. There is an excellent performance by Alan Clugston as Gonzalo. Paul Wenderlich does some nice work as the King as well.
But the standout performances of the night come from Joe Pine as Ferdinand and Gabe Infantino as Stefano. Pine has won a number of awards for his work with the Players and with Harlequin Productions, and he deserves another one here. His performance is absolutely compelling and honest - a fine characterization from a very talented actor. Tangible Infantino has steadily become a dependable and skilled actor with both the Players and with Loose Ends, and here he takes his work to a new level.
Newcomer Tarin Bonvino proves that experience is not the be all and end all for performers with a convincing portrayal of Ariel. Anthony Bersani's Prospero was a bit unsteady when I saw the show in previews, but with his experience I have no doubt his performance will gel and meet the level of his castmates.
Bruno has made the most of his cast, but the musical interludes are a bit plodding and do nothing to advance the action. Granted, these are a problem for modern audiences even in professional productions, but cutting them might have improved the pace. Certainly there's no reason not to stage the Bard on this side of the Atlantic. The rhythms of American English dovetail nicely with Shakespeare's poetry.
And if you don't believe it, read those last two sentences again.
There is nothing objectionable for younger audiences.
If you go
What: “The Tempest”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Auburn Public Theater, 108 Genesee St., Auburn
Cost: $12, $10 seniors and students
For details: Call 406-7435
The Citizens' Say
There are 2 comment(s)
Theatre-Goer wrote on Apr 23, 2007 2:38 PM:
His #1 Fan wrote on Apr 23, 2007 2:15 PM: