Ames Adamson as Old Shepherd, Courtney McGowan as Perdita, Patrick Toon as Camillo and Lambert Tamin as Archidamus. Photo credit: Jerry Dalia.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey completes their 2018 season with Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Last seen at the Theatre in Madison in 2008, The Winter’s Tale combines both a winter theme and some passionate romance for theater goers. This production is a form of a fable which uses the story by the Bard but enhances it with clever scenery, great lighting, music and dance, and a fabulous cast.
Bonnie J. Monte directs a cast of 20 actors in a show categorized as a tragicomedy romance. As the play opens, all is well and happy in Sicilia where Leontes reigns as King. He is devoted to his wife Hermione and she to him. They have a young son and she is pregnant again; life is good. When Leontes’ long time friend, Polixenes, comes to visit, he wants him to extend his stay. Only when his wife speaks with him does he agree which makes Leontes jealous and suspects them of having an affair. This jealousy leads to a series of incidents which eventually results in Hermione and her son’s deaths. However, her child is born and taken away secretly to Bohemia. Perdita grows up as the child of a shepherd and falls in love with Florizel who is the son of Polixenes.
There is a return to Sicilia in the second act. Leontes, who has been in mourning ever since his wife’s death welcomes Perdita home and makes peace with Polixenes. Everyone goes to see a newly completed statue of Hermione. The highlight of the show occurs when the statue comes to life. This miracle in the play is what make it a fable. It also allows great rejoicing to take place giving a very festival air just right for the holiday season.
Elements of the production
Not only does the story line lend itself to a festive season, but elements of the production also do. The scenery is not elaborate but it is unique and very pretty onstage. The back drop panels are covered in many roles of wrapping tissue paper giving it a soft, wintry look. The lighting is superb throughout the production especially when it hits those back drops with different colors. There is singing, music, and dancing during various parts of the show; something not seen in many Shakespeare plays. The lightness of the music adds a touch of joyfulness to a play that has dark moments alongside of happy ones.
Cast
It is a large cast of 20 that makes up The Winter’s Tale. Each one is very skillful in their roles. Erin Partin plays Hermione, Queen of Sicili, who is passionate and very beautiful especially as she poses as her own statue. Jon Barker plays Leontes. King of Sicilia, who aptly displays extreme jealousy and then grief at the results of his actions. Marion Adler plays Paulina with fire in her character. John Keabler regally plays Polixenes, the King of Bohemia.
Raphael Nash Thompson is eloquent as Antigonus/Time and William Sturdivant plays the conniving Autolycus. Ames Adamson gives a warm glow to the Old Shepard. Patrick Toon plays a noble Camillo and Seamus Mulcahy as the Clown provides a light and active touch. Courtney McGowan as Perdita is a sweet and lovely daughter.
Rounding out the cast are Robert S. Gregory, Ryan Woods, Devin Conway, and Katie Langham. Also there are Joseph Leitess, Léna Chilingerian, Lambert Tamin, David M. Farrington, and two local boys Xander Egbert-Crowe and JeffLin.
Additional information
Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission
Location: Shakespeare Theatre of NewJersey is located on the campus of Drew University. Go to the Main Stage, F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.
Performances: Tuesdays – Sundays
Contact for Info and Tickets: Patrons can call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org
Tickets
The 30 UNDER 30 program is available for this show. Patrons aged 30 and under can purchase tickets for only $30 with a valid ID, subject to availability. There are also $15 student rush tickets, which are available 30 minutes prior to each performance with a valid student ID, as well as a limited number of Pay What You Can tickets for every performance on a first come, first served basis.
Special performances
Symposium Series: For The Winter’s Tale, the symposia will be held following the Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 22 at 2:00 p.m. performances.
The Know the Show pre-show talks: Offered free-of-cost. Prior to the show, an artist from The Shakespeare Theatre presents a pre-performance talk providing background information and an inside perspective on the production. This program is free with the purchase of a performance ticket, and for The Winter’s Tale will be held on Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m., with the show beginning at 8:00 p.m.
The closed captioned performance for The Winter’s Tale will be on Sunday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.
The Audio Described performance will be on Sunday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, please contact the Box Office or visit the website.
A student matinee performance will be offered on Wednesday, December 19 and Thursday, December 20 at the very affordable price of $17 per ticket.