Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents KING LEAR.
From lights up, Larry Yando (Lear) shows us he is indeed king. He kicks off the show lounging in silk pajamas flipping through Frank Sinatra songs. Without saying a word, we see this is Yando’s world and he is in command. After he divides his kingdom into gifts for his daughters, Yando’s real reign begins. He becomes this powerhouse of emotional upheaval. His unraveled existence is delivered in a tireless frenzy. Despite being soured by his early arrogance, the audience voluntarily forgives him. Yando garners heaps of empathy in his plummet into aged dementia.
Director Barbara Gaines brings this 400 year old story into the present. Gaines focuses on the unsettling topic of getting old and losing control of life. She examines the care of the elderly as they become less productive. The story and staging could be a television reality show. The conspiratorial alliances and sidebar conversations are big time rating boosters. In addition, some of her cast never lose that reality star quality. They seem overly dramatic and artificial in their exchanges. With Yando so fluidly and totally losing it on stage, the stiffness of the others is a speed bump.
A notable exception is Kevin Gudahl (Kent). Gudahl serves Yando faithfully. Often sitting on the edge of the stage, Gudahl evens out Yando’s passionate tirade. He hilariously provides the sensibility. Steve Haggard (Edgar) also delivers his own range of emotional distress. Haggard goes smoothly from deer-in-headlights to wild-deer-in-the-forest. His temporary affliction poignantly contrasts Yando’s progressive demise.
Scenic and Costume Designer Mark Bailey aids the storytelling. His minimalist look is a massive castle wall. As Yando continues to become unhinged, the wall falls down. The symbolism and physicality of the moment is remarkable. Bailey also gives Gaines‘ modern fable a chic look. The sisters‘ costumes are particularly fetching. They start out in gowns befitting princesses. Later, they don smart, tailored fashions often accompanied with kick ass boots. The changing look effectively parallels their power quest. The stylish visual pops especially on Bailey’s stark stage.
Larry Yando is KING LEAR! KING LEAR is Larry Yando. Despite some stilted performances by the ensemble, I would recommend seeing this Yando showcase. This is, HE is KING LEAR like we’ve never seen before or may see again.
Running Time: Two hours and forty minutes includes an intermission
At Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Barbara Gaines
Thru November 9th
Buy Tickets at www.chicagoshakes.com
Production photo courtesy of Liz Lauren
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