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Nikhil Pai and Erika Soto
Photo Credit: Grettel Cortes
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EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 25, 2014
Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s most available and popular
tragic romance is summed up immediately in the prologue of the Independent
Shakespeare Company’s current production in Atwater. The entire cast appears, sharing the prologue; visibly shocked
that the story does not end well as related in Shakespeare’s lovely opening sonnet:
“Two Houses, both alike in
dignity..."
After lauding the talent and skills of Bristol Old Vic Company’s Midsummer Night’s Dream recently at The Broad, I must retreat and say that to find myself in plastic chairs and a simple playing space with this ISC cast of excellent and culturally diverse and talented Americans, that under these right circumstances, the Bard comes off Aces. We cut immediately to the chase, eliminating the opening of the fight (no thumb biting here) that gets the Prince’s (Xavier J. Watson who doubles as a foppish Paris) dander up. We meet a female Benvolio (lithe Lovelle Liquigan doubling as Lady Capulet), Romeo’s confidant and pal. No worries about how the Montegues find out about the Capulet’s soiree, we get right to the point with tres gai Mercrutio (doubling Lord Capulet joyful Andrè Martin) who encourages Romeo (excellent Nikhil Pai) to crash the party. Quickly is Rosaline forgotten and in the lovers’ meeting we find love at first sight with familiar lines spoken with conviction. Just charming. “Let lips do what hands do…”
Bawd(y!) Nurse (profound Bernadette Sullivan) goes to bat
for Juliet (wonderful Erika Soto) remembering how she would bet fourteen teeth
that she knew her charge’s birth within an hour (sadly says she, she only has
four). She broadly proclaims her loyalty and love full voice. This energy from every member of the
cast was impressive.
Fantastic doubling as Friar Lawrence and Tybalt, Evan Lewis
Smith commands the stage with his voice and presence. The sword play here with Mercrutio is at once comic and
frightening. This is a highlight
of the show as often there is too much care in stage combat. Even with the
audience only six feet away, the actors do not flinch, but thrust and parry as
Romeo attempts to stop the melee. Mercrutio is struck under Romeo’s arm. ‘Find me tomorrow and
you will find me a grave man,’ he says, condemning everyone and expires. Romeo’s brief bout then brings Tybalt
to his end skillfully without flair.
To the credit of director Melissa Chalsma, there is no
attempt at accents. It’s an American production in a tiny space with limited
tech (though adequate) mounted beautifully. Shakespeare’s Wooden “O” probably had about the same amount
of technical support, allowing the words and the story to carry the day. Designer Cat Sowa’s wooden back wall
with one black curtain, a ladder and a sturdy table are all that Chalsma needs
to bring her actors up to speed. Daniel Mahler’s costumes work just fine. Kevin Rico Angulo (Lord Montague and
Friar John) rounds out the cast.
It is rare to see such committed energy in a simple studio
setting. The recent failure of Macbeth at A Noise Within, with their expensive professional
space, costumes and lighting did not succeed because the dedication of the
actors and the director were somehow sidetracked. It is the abundant energy that the ISC ensemble brings to
their tiny space that makes the play work. I loved this production because the actors never tarried in
their quest. They whittled the
text carefully, still allowing it to breathe while skillfully bringing it to
life. We buy the story because it
is, after all… Romeo and Juliet,
for goodness sakes! Creative dance
movement and handling of the simple props draws the audience in and includes us
as part of the drama. The fourth
wall comes and goes gently with purpose.
Who else to hear a soliloquy but the audience?
It’s an efficient evening (two swift acts) that makes one truly
appreciate the beauty of the words. The words and the excellent skills of the
cast are all reasons that one must see this production. It is not to be missed.
ROMEO AND JULIET
By William Shakespeare
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM
Sunday at 2PM
April 11 through May 25, 2014
The Independent Shakespeare Company
3191 Casitas Avenue
#168
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Tickets and Information: 818 710 6306
www.iscla.org
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