The Fourth Walsh

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents THE WINTER’S TALE.

King Leontes of Sicilia is under the illusion Queen Hermoine is cheating on him. And he dogmatically maintains she is pregnant by King Polixenes of Bohemia. In his irrational jealousy, he imprisons his wife and conspires to kill Polixenes. When Camillo tips off Polixenes, the duo flee to Bohemia. Leontes’ madness leads to death, destruction, and banishment. Meanwhile in Bohemia, the island is vibing with music, merriment, and sheep.

Artistic Director Edward Hall knows how to put on a show! He takes Shakespeare’s less familiar play and makes it unforgettable. The Bard’s narrative takes a winding path from Sicilia to Bohemia and back again over sixteen years. Along the way, the storytelling occasionally loses its clarity. Hall utilizes his creative design team (Michael Pavelka – scenic and costume, Marcus Doshi – lighting, Emily Hayman – sound, Kieran McCabe – composer, and Zev Steinrock – Fight and Intimacy Choreography)  to set the stage for division of countries and tone. He masterfully leans into the drama and lightens up the comedy for a terrific dramedy twofer.

In Sicilia, Pavelka’s sleek set is a fortress filled with elegant chandeliers and people. The look contrasts spectacularly with Demetrios Troy (Leontes) spiraling out of control. The commanding Troy starts out with snarky sidebars moves swiftly into a blinding rage. At one point, he savagely picks up Jessica Dean Turner (Hermione). It’s gasp-worthy. The fierce Turner defends her honor in an impassioned plea of innocence. While all the King’s men buckle under Troy’s tyranny, the indomitable Issy Van Randwyke (Paulina) speaks truth to power. Van Randwyke is delightfully defiant standing up to Troy. Tensions are high as cruelty reigns.

Over in Bohemia, it’s all fun and games. Hall completely flips the show over. The comedy gets hysterically absurd with singing sheep and secret identities. Pavelka adds to the levity with bursts of color combos in island-meets-chic-sheep looks. Polixenes (played by Chiké Johnson) and Camillo (played by Erik Hellman), having escaped from poison and punishment in Sicilia, join in the light-hearted revelry by donning LOL disguises. Stealing focus dressed like Guns and Roses’ Slash, Sean Fortunato is hysterical playing a two-bit hustler. He cons the endearing Kevin Gudahl and lovably silly Dan Haller. And attempts to charm the leg-warmers off Patty Roache and Grace Steckler. All this comedy lifts the mood, inspires happiness, and allows love to blossom. Perdita (played by Felicia Oduh) and Florizel (played by Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta) fall into forbidden love and must overcome their familial ties to stay together.

Under Hall’s inventive orchestration and superb ensemble, THE WINTER’S TALE is the perfect balance of gut-punching and up-lifting. What’s better than emerging out of an oppressive regime into a joyful community of singing sheep? We should all get that kind of mid-term comedy relief.    

THE WINTER’S TALE is being performed in repertory with MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT DREAM. This same tour de force ensemble will act in both shows… sometimes back-to-back in the same day. Chicago Shakes is playing ironman theatre at Navy Pier to end the year with a double win.

Running Time: Two hours and 55 minutes includes an intermission

At Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier

Written by William Shakespeare

Directed by Edward Hall

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7pm

Wednesdays at 1pm

Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm

Thru December 12

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Kyle Flubacker and Jeff Kursyz

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