|
Sueno
By Jose Rivera
Directed by Julieanne Ehre
Produced by Greasy Joan and Co.
At the Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N. Southport
Chicago, IL
Call 312-902-1500, tickets $20
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 3 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through May 20, 2007
Mystical and humorous Sueno entices
Greasy Joan and Co., dedicated to producing innovative productions of classic plays presents Jose Rivera’s original adaptation of Pedro Caldron de la Barca’s play Life’s a Dream. This Spanish classic contains a strange mix of mystical and often lyrical language with raw references together with outrageous humor played both seriously and extremely over-the-top. Sueno’s (‘dream” in Spanish) weird blend works to enchant and engage us throughout.
When King Basilio’s (Madrid St. Angelo) son Segismondo (Carlo Garcia) is born, his horoscope predicts he will become a tyrant. In an attempt to undo fate, the King locks his child in a tower for 25 years in hopes of preventing catastrophe. 25 years later, Basilio decides to rewrite his son’s destiny as he hatches a plan for the young man to be released and crowned the new King of Spain. If Prince Segismundo behaves violently as predicted, he’ll once again be imprisoned. Eventually, the Prince overcomes his fate and the future of Spain is secured.
Along the way, a series of clever plot twists emerge fueled by wacky characters led by Clarin (the funny and swishy Desmin Borges) and Estrella (Kelly Breheny) and Astolfo (the exaggerated Robert Kruzlaric) offered a intoxicating blend of adventure and intrigue sprinkled with rich, raunchy humor. I like this fable for its curious blend of tones and styles that gelled into a pleasant show.
Carlo Lorenzo Garcia as Segismundo and Desmin Borges as Clarin were especially effective in a mostly well acted ensemble piece that offers a fresh and different take on a Spanish classic. The excellent set design (by Kevin Depiner) and Alison Heryer’s costumes had a vivid and period-perfect look. Greasy Joan and Co. has another worthy non-Equity show that will satisfy theatre goers.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2007
Jeff Recommended
|
