[NEohioPAL] Berko review: THE WINTER'S TALE @ CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program

[Roy Berko]

*CWRU/CPH MFA’s THE WINTER’S TALE disappoints *



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)



The graduating class of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play
House MFA Acting Program closed out their third year with a production of
Shakespeare’s THE WINTER’S TALE.  Their training is basically over and
what’s next place for these students are tryouts, getting an agent, and
going forth into the world of professional theatre.



Previous graduates of the program are now appearing both on and
off-Broadway shows, cast in network television shows, and as cast members
of Cleveland Play House productions.



Since the troupe has been working with visiting artist Geoff Bullen, the
associate director of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, and has
been involved in a three-week Shakespeare Text Intensive, it was rather
disappointing that some of THE WINTER’S TALE cast had difficulty in
developing clear and meaningful characterizations.



THE WINTER’S TALE is a comedy, though it is perceived by some literary
experts as one of Shakespeare’s late romances, while others tag it as a
problem play because it is filled with conflicts, which result in a
conflict solving ending.



The story concerns the jealous King Leontes who believes that his wife is
having an affair, and that her soon to be born child was fathered by King
Polixenes, his childhood friend.  As a result, one is poisoned, another
imprisoned, and the newly born baby exiled.  Doesn’t sound like a comedy?  In
the creative hands of Shakespeare anything is possible.



Because of its clear characters, comic twists and turns, and unity of plot,
the play is an audience favorite.  The script gets many, many professional
and amateur productions.



A recent New York staging of the play was described as, “Scalding jealousy,
hunger for revenge, young love in rapturous bloom, the soul-corroding
sorrow of regret: all are evoked in the saturated colors.”  Unfortunately,
few of these words can be used to describe much of the CWRU/CPH MFA
production.



Director Geoff Bullen’s staging is marked by  some fine character
development and clever gimmicks, but also by excessive shouting, languid
pacing, and much surface level acting.  Sly use of the *Teddybear’s Picnic
Song* highlights a fine comic segment.  The blocking keys much of the
dramatic and comic action.  But all is not well in either Sicilia, where
the play is set, nor in the Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre,
where the production is being staged.



Andrew Gorell, who has been excellent in previous productions, continues to
be fine in comedic scenes, but loses his believability in dramatic moments.
Dan Hendrock seems to believe that acting means yelling with little
character texturing.  French born Yan Tual is very difficult to understand.
If he plans to work in U.S. theatre, he needs to work of American English
pronunciation.  Michael Herbert has matinee idol good looks, but doesn’t
display the acting chops to go with his physical presence.



The females of the company are all strong.  Kim Krane, Eva Gil and Kathryn
Metzger are excellent, while, Kelli Ruttle is outstanding.  Each appears to
be ready for their entrance into the professional world.



 *CAPSULE JUDGMENT:  A WINTER’S TALE is a disappointing production.  So
much more should be expected from a group of actors who have spent three
years polishing their craft under excellent guidance.  *



THE WINTER’S TALE runs through February 17 at the Helen Rosenfeld Lewis
Bialosky Lab Theatre in CPH’s Allen Theatre.  For tickets call 216-241-6000
or go to www.clevelandplayhouse.com.
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