[NEohioPAL]Berko review: M4M (CPT)

[Roy Berko]

Marvelous ‘M4M’ AT CPT

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Dance
Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

A quick look at local entertainment listings might
lead someone to believe that Cleveland has become the
off-beat Shakespeare center of the theatre world.    A
female Hamlet, a production of a Bard-light script
that many think shouldn’t even be part of the
Shakespeare portfolio, and an all-male version of
‘MEASURE FOR MEASURE’ which has a spotty history, at
best.

The Cleveland Public Theatre production of ‘MEASURE
FOR MEASURE, ‘ dubbed by the theatre, ‘M4M’ is the
best of the trio.  

‘MEASURE FOR MEASURE’ had only one recorded production
during Shakespeare’s life time.  In addition, it was
not staged after that initial display for over a
century because it was said to have “offensive
characters and dialogue.”  In fact, one Bard critic 
called it “a hateful work.”

>From my perspective, the evaluators of those days were
all wrong.  ‘MEASURE FOR MEASURE’ makes strong social
points, is an excellent example of a tragic-drama (it
was originally called as a tragic-comedy), and is a
wonderful vehicle for a talented director and company.

Fortunately, CPT has both the talented director, in
the person of Craig J. George and a very, very
talented ensemble of actors.

George’s vision for the play is totally creative.  He
envisions scene after compelling scene using only a
large white tarp, a desk, a table, a hanging platform,
and some black curtains.  He is aided by Jenniver
Sparano’s costumes which flip on and off bodies as
fast as rabbits can be pulled out of a magician’s hat.
  As an audience, you can’t see all the clothing
changes but dressers Curt Arnold and Sparano must be
the best quick change artists for dressing and
undressing the 6 male members of the cast who play 16
different roles.  Not once is there confusion over who
is who.

The cast is universally excellent.  Michael Mauldin,
the only equity member, mesmerizes as the Duke and
Friar.    He controls the stage with his commanding
presence.  

Geoff Knox, portraying Angelo, the acting Duke while
the real Duke takes a break from his reign, as well as
a Friar, a prostitute and several other roles, makes
the transitions with ease.  This is a very talented
young man.  

John Paul Soto portrays many of the female roles with
wonderful dexterity.  He embodies each with a unique
characterization.  

Rob Mayes plays the condemned Claudio, a pregnant
Juliet (who is carrying Claudio’s child), and numerous
other roles with  a high degree of acting and singing
excellence.  

Ashley Davenport is properly pompous as Escalus, a
court aide, as well as an executioner.  He transitions
well between characterizations.  

Andrew Marikis is not as adept as the other members in
the cast in creating meaningful characters, but he
does well in breathing life into the lying Lucio.

I think CPT did a disfavor to potential audience
members by stressing the production’s use of men
playing all the roles.  The ads and public relations
releases gave the idea that this might well be an S&M,
gay take of Shakespeare, a transvestite show.  It’s
not.  Yes, there are tight black pants and bare male
chests and simulated sex but it is not the major
theme.  Men played all the roles in Shakespeare’s day,
and there is no reason that they shouldn’t do the same
today, especially if they do it as well as the “M4M’
cast.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   CPT’s ‘M4M’ is one of the better
of this season’s theatrical productions, well
outshining the other Shakespeare shows in the area,
and deserves to be seen by anyone interested in seeing
a creatively directed and expertly acted production.

‘M4M’ runs through October 14 at Cleveland Public
Theatre.  For tickets call 216-631 2727.


Roy Berko's web page can be found at www.royberko.info.  His theatre and dance reviews appear on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.fredsternfeld.com/mailman/listinfo/neohiopal.

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