|
WINDY CITY TIMES
|
|
|
The Lion in Winter
THEATER REVIEW
by Mary Shen Barnidge 2011-08-24
|
|
This article shared 3334 times since Wed Aug 24, 2011
|
|
Playwright: James Goldman. At: Idle Muse Theatre at the Side Project, 1439 W. Jarvis Ave. Phone: 800-838-3006;$15-$20. Runs through: Sept. 11
Depending on whom you ask, James Goldman's 1966 play is: a) an anachronism-riddled historical romp, b) a satire of upper-class snoots bickering like horse-traders, c) a star-vehicle for two aged hams and assorted young hamlets or d) all of the above. What's certain is that the concept of the royal family representing "the world in small" was never more labored than in this intimate look at the household of England's Henry II and France's Eleanor of Aquitaine, and that its frequent revivals, even today, still rely heavily on the mannered performances of Peter O'Toole and Katherine Hepburn in the 1968 film.
Fortunately, Idle Muse Theatre's mission mandates fresh approaches to repertoire grown mossy with age and popularity. Under Evan Jackson's direction, a narrative too-often orchestrated as a virtual two-hander has been reconfigured to reflect the ensemble ethos unique to Chicago's storefront circuit. Oh, mommy and daddy Plantagenet still dominate the action, but no longer are the other players in the game reduced to near-identical brats to be shoved around by scheming relatives. In this production, all three sonspetulant John, gay Richard and brooding Geoffreyare endowed with personalities as boldly-etched as that of their sire, closely followed by that of their chief adversary, the teenage King Philip of France.
The women aren't as lucky. Scholars agree that Eleanor was an extraordinary women for her time (or any other, for that matter) making it only appropriate that Goldman reserve his choicest zingers for her, even if it leaves poor princess Alaiswhose marriage to an English prince is to seal the treaty between the countries (and guarantee Henry his mistress sleeping nearby)with nothing to do but feebly protest her status. It's to Jackson's credit that he contrives to allow Alex Fisher a few moments to demonstrate her character's alacrity at learning from her elders.
Indeed, the entire cast takes welcome advantage of their close quarters in the Side Project to render us privy to their personae's subtextual machinationsnot through the actorly twitches usually associated with costume drama, but integrated into the power struggles with a vigor and immediacy exemplified by the visual metaphor of David Skvarla's ursine Henry surrounded by would-be usurpers like a bear baited by dogs. Save your NetFlix for the upcoming snowbound evenings and indulge yourself in these late-summer days to the pleasures of a familiar classic made new. |
|
|
|
This article shared 3334 times since Wed Aug 24, 2011
|
ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE |
---|
|
| | SHOWBIZ Celine Dion, 'The People's Joker,' Billy Porter, Patti LuPone, 'Strange Way' 2024-04-19 - I Am: Celine Dion will stream on Prime Video starting June 25, according to a press release. The film is described as follows: "Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, I Am: Celine Dion gives us ...
|
| | Kokandy Productions now accepting submissions for Chicago Musical Theater Fest returning Aug. 8-11 2024-04-18 --From a press release - CHICAGO (April 18, 2024) — Kokandy Productions is pleased to open submissions for the 2024 Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, returning this summer following a four-year hiatus. Kokandy is thrilled to ...
|
| | THEATER Blue in the Right Way's 'Women Beware Women' offers feminist, trans take on a troubling Jacobean tragedy 2024-04-18 - "Problematic" is a great go-to adjective to describe Women Beware Women. This 1621 Jacobean tragedy is by English playwright Thomas Middleton, who is probably best remembered as a collaborator with William Shakespeare on their pessimistic tragedy ...
|
| | Hubbard Street Dance Chicago announces programs for May 17-19 season finale 2024-04-17 --From a press release - CHICAGO — Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) announced program selections for Spring Series: Of Joy, the final installment of Season 46, Abundance. The engagement will include four unique works, once ...
|
| | LGBTQ+ film fest Queer Expression to feature Alexandra Billings in 'Queen Tut' 2024-04-12 --From a press release - CHICAGO — Pride Film Fest celebrates its second decade with a new name—QUEER EXPRESSION—and has announced its slate of LGBTQ+-themed feature, mid-length and short films for in-person and virtual events in April and May. QUEER EXPRESSI ...
|
| | Open Space Arts's COCK offers a complex but compelling take on relationships 2024-04-08 By Brian Kirst - Premiering in 2009, Mike Bartlett's COCK was a comic revelation, exploring notions about fluidity and sexual labelling long before they became commonplace discussions. Granted, conversations about these issues will always ...
|
| | Jeff Awards launches submission period for Impact Awards 2024-04-06 - The Jeff Awards announced the opening period for applications submissions for its 2024 honors to help inspire early career artists of color in the Greater Chicagoland area. Two recipients will be selected for awards of $10,000 ...
|
| | SHOWBIZ Outfest, Chita Rivera, figure skaters, letter, playwright dies 2024-04-05 - For more than four decades, Outfest has been telling LGBTQ+ stories through the thousands of films screened during its annual Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival—but that event may have a different look this year because ...
|
| | SHOWBIZ Dionne Warwick, OUTshine, Ariana DeBose, 'Showgirls,' 'Harlem' 2024-03-29 Video below - Iconic singer Dionne Warwick was honored for her decades-long advocacy work for people living with HIV/AIDS at a star-studded amfAR fundraising gala in Palm Beach, per the Palm Beach Daily News. Warwick received the "Award of ...
|
| | WORLD Israel court, conversion therapy, death sentences, Georgia bill, fashion items 2024-03-29 - Israel's Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Population Authority must register female couples as mothers on the birth certificates of their children they have together, The Washington Blade reported. The decision was made following a petition ...
|
| | City Lit Executive Artistic Director Brian Pastor talks theater, comics, queerness 2024-03-26 - City Lit Theater has announced its programming for the 2024-25 seasonwhich will be the company's 44th. It will also be the first season to be programmed under the leadership of Brian Pastor (they/them), who will assume ...
|
| | The Jeff Awards announces the 50th anniversary awards for non-equity theater 2024-03-26 --From a press release - A complete list of recipients can also be found online in the Non-Equity and News and Events sections at www.jeffawards.org. (March 25, 2024 - Chicago) — Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the ...
|
| | SHOWBIZ Queer musicians, Marvel situation, Elliot Page, Nicole Kidman 2024-03-21 - Queer musician Joy Oladokun released the single "I Wished on the Moon," from Jack Antonoff's official soundtrack for the new Apple TV+ series The New Look, per a press release. The soundtrack, ...
|
| | THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar' 2024-03-21 - Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...
|
| | Jamie Barton brings nuances of identity to her Lyric Opera 'Aida' performance 2024-03-18 - Chicago's Lyric Opera is currently featuring a production of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida starring Michelle Bradley as Aida, Jamie Barton as Amneris and Russell Thomas as Radamès. The opera runs through April 7, 2024, with Francesca Zambello ...
| |
|
|
|
|