Review “Pericles” (Chicago Shakes): Muddled!

10505608_10152527625507469_8235515662854940284_nChicago Shakespeare Theater presents PERICLES.

There’s a reason that PERICLES is a lesser known work of Shakespeare.  It’s muddled!  Based on the real life of a prominent Greek Statesman (495-429 BC), the play takes us on a voyage of Pericles’ life… actually multiple voyages.  And unlike in the literary stories of “Nicholas Nickleby” or “Robinson Crusoe,” where a man goes on a journey to find himself, Pericles continually falls in to his trips by happenstance.  This hero lacks direction. And the people he meets along the way are muted instead of colorful.  And unlike in a more popular Shakespeare play, there are too many characters and none of them are distinct. They are muddled!  I had the good fortune to receive an animated Cliffnote’s version of the complex Wikipedia synopsis from my playdate over dinner.  Even with that cram session, I was still bewildered and bored by Shakespeare’s bountiful nothingness.  

So, this guy goes on multiple aimless trips and meets a lot of forgettable people.   

If Shakespeare wrote approximately 38 plays and Chicago Shakes has been around for nearly 30 years, the timing seems about right for the dusty PERICLES to be mounted. And under the creative direction of David H. Bell, the design team take on the challenge of adding interest to this otherwise convoluted narrative. Scenic Designer Scott Davis uses the flipside of a boat as the stage.  The stark hull serves as the platform for battles, a bordello and boating.  On the massive backdrop, Projection Designer Aaron Rhyne layers vibrant imagery of the sea on top of Grecian temples.  His sweeping seascapes transports us to another place and time. Sound Designer James Savage adds the audio reinforcement to Rhyne’s visual with soothing lapping or the tumultuous  storm combo of wind, rain and thunder.               

The story calls for a huge cast in a variety of locales over a few decades. And Costume Designer Nan Cibula-Jenkins takes on the ambitious task of distinctively clothing the ensemble.  Cibula-Jenkins uses satin and brocade to identify royalty.  She cleverly incorporates a large white toga party for a redemption themed finale.  And my favorite, she dresses the bordello folks in 1970s funky fringe and beads.  Her wardrobe-overhaul-changes helps the audience transition to yet another place and time.  She adds a much needed vibrance to Shakespeare’s hodgepodge voyage.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater can now cross PERICLES off their to-do list. And they creatively mounted it with elaborate smoke and mirrors.  Still, the story is  muddled and not one I need to see again unadapted. 

Running Time:  Two hours and forty minutes includes an intermission

At Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed by David H. Bell

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays at 7:30pm

Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm

Sundays at 2pm

Thru January 18th

Buy Tickets at www.chicagoshakes.com

For more reviews and information on Chicago theatre, visit Theatre in Chicago.

Production photo by Liz Lauren.

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