PREDICTIONS FROM ANW: EXIT THE KING?

Eugene Ionesco , along with a handful of other absurdist playwrights sought to take theatre to a strange place.  Along with Beckett and Pirandello and others, the challenge to the audience was to allow the fragments to cling to a faint story line:  let the chips fall where they may.

With ANW's RICHARD III  followed by DEATH OF A SALESMAN,  the choice to present EXIT THE KING  seems in order. It is time for Theatre to bring to the fore the Truth of Art. There's a mirror held up in this show.

From the absolute power of King Richard, to poor Willie Loman  being overcome by 'circumstances of the times/'  and now to this comic finale?  It's a strong comment and a beauty of a production.  400 year old King Berenger (limber Henri Lubatti) is crumbling along with his mess of a  kingdom.  The argument of the text, which may be prescient... these over sixty years since. the play first appeeared?  

Ionesco lays it all out for us and then we observe as Berenger's retinue  brings to life the blatant truth: The king will die. 

KT Vogt, Lynn Robert Berg,
Henri Lubatti, Joy DeMichelle,
Ralph Cole Jr. and Erika Soto
Photo by Craig Schwartz

 I was explaining the plot to a movie actor pal who was vague about his early theatre history.  He said, "Just like today?"  And, I said Ionesco's 'today' was over sixty years ago.

Tesshi Nakagawa's set is simple. I wish the crumbling had been more physical, but the suggestion of decay works fine. Jared A Sayeg's lights with Angela Balogh Calin's wondrful costumes set the scene.   The cotton candy puffs of Queen Marie's (Erika Soto) gown are hilarious.  Marie is the junior queen and is crazy in love with Berenger to the point of hysteria.. It all works.  Broadly.

Highly royal elder Queen Marguerite (Joy DeMichelle) gives the spoiller alert that was already spoiled by the title. "You're going to die at the end of this show!" The stern contrast of Marguerite's stiff and formal approach build to a touching climax. Mrguerite is the backbone of the King and the play. Elegant. 

Director Michael Michetti's smooth movements; bring each of these odd characters to life nicely finding humor and touches of the Clown Show that is predicted in the pre-show music. As Julitette (KT Vogt) bustles wearing a couple of different "hats" but always the hard pressed servant: really bustles.  As the Guard, imposing Lynn Robe announces and serves. 

Hair precedes spot on Ralph Cole Jr as the Dorctor ..also other characters, but the same guy with  the hair.. 

The beauty of this cast and this very old play is that Michetti has guided them into an tight ensemble with broad physicality..The stage is a thrust that shares equal access with the entire audience. 

It's  a lot of  talk as Berenger dissolves into his final moments. The denoument  orchestrated by Queen Marguerite is touching and gives Berenger a tender  send off.. It maybe more than he deserves? 

EXIT THE KING is  a tight professional producton that should be experienced. And!! it must be talked about. Ionnesco's goal was to attempt to teach those of us who may die to have a bit of a handle o it. Let stuff go. Love one another?  

CAST

King Berenger the First: Henri Lubatti*
Queen Marguerite: Joy DeMichelle*
Queen Marie: Erika Soto*
The Doctor: Ralph Cole Jr *
Juliette: KT Vogt*
The Guard: Lynn Robe

PRODUCTION
Artistic Directors: Julia Rodriguez-Elliott and Geoff Elliott
Director Michael Michetti §
Assistant Director Marco Rivera
Stage Manager Hope Matthews*
Assistant Stage Manager Morgan McDonald
Scenic Designer: Tesshi Nakagawa
Costume Designer Angela Balogh Calin†
Lighting Designer Jared A Sayeg†
Sound Designer Jeff Gardner†
Wig Designer & Make-up Tony Valdés
Resident Dramaturg Miranda Johnson-Haddad
Properties Designer/Technical Coordinator Stephen Taylor
Master Carpenter Rochelle Concepcion
Assistant Scenic Designer/Charge Artist Angelene Storey
Production Manager Juli Figueroa-Castro
Casting Director/Artist Relations Alison Rodriguez
Co-Master Electrician Hailey McDill
Co-Master Electrician Alejandra Vera
Costume Shop Manager Courtney Park
Costume Shop Assistant Erin McComb
Light Board Op Sam Campbell
Deck Crew Elizabeth Ramos Perez
Audio Engineer (A1) Chloe Pate
Backstage Audio Assistant (A2) Alex Reyes
Clowning Consultant Matt Walker
UNDERSTUDIES
The Guard: Richardson Cisneros Jones*, The Doctor: Shawn Law*,
Queen Marguerite: Aisha Kabia *, Queen Marie: Paige  Collins*

 

WHO:
• Written by Eugène Ionesco
• Translated by Donald Watson
• Directed by Michael Michetti
• Starring Lynn Robert Berg, Ralph Cole Jr., Joy DeMichelle, Henri Lubatti, Erika Soto, KT Vogt
• Presented by A Noise Within, Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, producing artistic directors

WHEN:
May 3 – May 31
Previews May 3 – May 8:
• Sunday at 2 p.m. / Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Performances May 9 – May 31:
• Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7: 30 p.m. / Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (no Saturday matinee on May 9)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• A one-hour INsiders Discussion Group will take place prior to the matinee on Sunday, May 10 beginning at 12:30 p.m.
• Post-performance conversations with the artists every Friday (except the preview) and Sunday, May 17.
• Student matinees are scheduled on select weekdays at 10:30 a.m. Interested educators should email education@anoisewithin.org.

WHERE:
A Noise Within
3352 E Foothill Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107

TICKETS:
• Tickets start at $41.75 (including fees)
• Student tickets start at $20
• Wednesday, May 6 and Thursday, May 7 (previews): Pay What You Choose starting at $10 (available online beginning the Monday prior to that performance)
• Discounts available for groups of 10 or more

HOW:
anoisewithin.org
(626) 356-3100