The Complete History of America (Abridged): A Review Macbeth: A Review The Petrified Forest: A Review
something more akin to a standard comedic play (I have never seen any of the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s work). What I learned was that this is much more like a stand up routine that happens to have a script behind it. Which in this case, is not a bad thing at all. In fact, I can safely say that it was one of the most enjoyable theater experiences I have had in a long time.
The play covers almost 500,000 years of American history, from the first people walking across the Bering Strait to President Obama and present day. Through various comedy bits, props, songs, skits and many puns, the play condenses the entirety of American history into roughly two hours of stage time.
This will probably be the easiest review I have ever had to write. Roughly twenty or thirty minutes into the first act, I noticed that I was hardly writing any notes down, and realized this is not the type of play that you deeply analyze and critique. You simply enjoy it. The brightly colored, yet minimalistic set served as a nice backdrop for the action, and the occasional sound queues set up some very funny bits and jokes. The three actors (Mick Mize, Darren Bridgett and Cassidy Brown), are fine comedic actors with impeccable timing, and did a glorious job of playing off the audience, each other, and the occasional mishap (Bridgett's accidental fall through a trap door was a particularly funny, though unintentional, moment).
The only people I wouldn’t recommend this play to, are those who take themselves, and their country, too seriously or those who can’t take a joke. The play contains some mild language and some sexual innuendos, but nothing more than PG-13 material. Otherwise, grab your friends, kick back, and enjoy a history lesson.
Oh, and one final warning: you may get a little wet.
The Complete History of America (Abridged) is running at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at the Dominican University of California until September 25. Tickets run $20-$35. Special “Pay Your Age” prices for adults ages 21 to 34. For tickets and more information, visit www.marinshakespeare.org
In this day and age, there are generally two different paths that productions take when putting on one of the classic plays by Shakespeare: they can push boundaries by setting it in a new era, changing the focus of the play, or finding some way of making the play seem fresh and exciting. They can also present the safe alternative of what most people expect a Shakespeare play to look, feel and sound like. While not necessarily bad, Marin Shakespeare Company has chosen the latter for their production of Macbeth at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre.
One of the most effective design elements of play (though it is entirely possible it was a happy coincidence), was the use of natural light. As the play started at roughly 8pm, there was still a fair amount of summer light left. As the play went on, and Macbeth’s insanity became more and more prevalent, the sun set and the moon rose, casting an eerie light upon the stage. The set was an attractive, yet typical design of bare branches and trees twisting and weaving into a forest of death. The various sound bits, while possibly not entirely needed, gave a nice framework to the scenes. Of particular note was the design of the apparitions, who seemed to be the one design or acting element that tried something new. Instead of a couple appearing from the witches’ cauldron and Banquo’s ghost during the dinner scene, many different apparitions appear throughout the play, and multiply in direct correlation to Macbeth’s insanity.
The actors all did a decent job of portraying the roles they were given. A few were even amazing standouts. William Elsman’s Macbeth grew on me. I felt like he was somewhat flat in the first scene or two, but he soon picked up steam, and by the second half, he was a true star. Macduff (Scott Coopwood) was also one who I felt shone more brightly after the intermission, and became one of my favorites. Robert Currier deserves special recognition for his hysterical performance of the Porter, which became one of the best highlights of the show for me.
I still feel that this was a nice performance. I would have liked a bit more willingness to try something different, but in more cases than not, any Shakespeare is good Shakespeare. This is one of those cases. Pack a picnic and your warmest blanket, and see this show with your family...except maybe the younger children.
Macbeth is running at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at the Dominican University of California until August 14. Tickets run from $20-$35. For tickets, visit www.marinshakespeare.org
The Marin Actor’s Workshop has possibly hit the proverbial ball out of the proverbial park with their show for the 2011 season, The Petrified Forest by the acclaimed Robert E. Sherwood. Set in the small diner/bar of a gas station in Eastern Arizona, the play gives us a view into the lives of people at the crossroads of their own lives, as well as at literal crossroads (the diner is at a crossroads: one way leads towards the Pacific, the other towards the titular Petrified Forest of Arizona). Down-on-his-luck writer/intellectual Alan (the phenomenal Ken Bacon) comes to the diner on his way to see the Pacific Ocean. Gabby (Ariana Hooper) is the waitress of the diner, with dreams of leaving the artistically and culturally petrified (in her mind) America to reunite with her mother in France. What begins to feel like a standard and uneventful play is shaken up by the arrival of famed gangster Duke Mantee (Daniel Flores) and his gang, who take the inhabitants of the diner hostage.Upon entering the theater space of the Novato Theater Company Playhouse, I was struck by the set. With just a relatively small space, Set designer Eugene DeChristopher instantly transports the audience to 1934 Arizona. The colors and little details like the weathered wood grain, a small coating of desert dust and the American flag with the period correct 48 stars hanging on the wall help keep atmosphere alive.
The actors were mostly excellent. A few seemed a little flat or nervous, but that could easily be marked up to first night jitters, and suddenly having an audience to work off of. Ken Bacon was an exceptional delight to watch, as he seemed completely in control of his character and his actions. It felt as if he thoroughly researched his character, and his prop work and movements felt extremely natural. Wood Lockhart as Gramp Maple was one of the gems of the play, who nailed almost each and every comedic beat with near perfect timing, which can be a very difficult thing to do on opening night. Special recognition goes towards Daniel Flores, in his second role ever. His natural stage presence and charisma was evident from the moment he stormed on stage with the energy of an angry dog as Duke Mantee. The only downside is that he seemed to start with his stakes fully raised (that never faltered), which left a somewhat flat performance that didn’t have any dramatic build or growth. Other acting delights were Stacy Thunes as Mrs. Chisholm, and Jeremy Fay and Andrew Mendle as the Telegraph Linemen.
Overall, the production was excellent in all aspects, and should be viewed by all. If you enjoy comedy, drama, the 1930s, gangsters, or theater, grab your friends and family, and see this production.
The Petrified Forest is running at the Novato Theater Company Playhouse in Novato until July 31. $20-$24. For tickets, call 415-883-4498 or visit novatotheatercompany.org