All the Worlds a Stage (Highview Arts Center)

Shakespeare: The Icons Iconic Monologues, Scenes and Characters in Shakespeare’s canon Written by William Shakespeare Directed by Jill Marie Guelda A review by Kate Barry

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He has written some of the most familiar comedies and tragedies in the English language. His sonnets are legendary. He even made up words and phrases. He can write something that will make you laugh or cry. I’m talking about William Shakespeare, of course. Highview Arts Center has crafted a showcase of some of the Bards finest in Shakespeare: The Icons.

The greatest hits of sorts, the key to this production is keeping it simple. The set is basic with platforms adorned with pages from Shakespeare’s best along with benches, boxes, banners and columns. Focus is on the words and there are a lot of them. Over 15 plays are featured and divvied up between the notable villains, lovers, fools as well as beginnings and endings of plays. And of course Shakespeare makes an appearance in the form of Marc McHone. Writing obsessively, the diligent wordsmith is almost ever present as he writes at his ledger with quill in hand.

 The production shows many strong performances from these notable plays. Karole Spangler brings a transformative Richard the third during the “Now is the winter of our discontent” speech. Always a strong performer, Spangler shows off her range as a merry wife of Windsor who reluctantly receives a letter from Falstaff and the dopey moonshine in Midsummer Nights Dream’s play within the play. Joy Beth Dewitt-Riley is mischievous and ethereal in a red glittery cape as part of the weird sisters from Macbeth. She is a flirtatious Romeo in Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene. She provides a giddy lovesick Romeo who yearns to simply touch Juliet, played with cautious reserve by Rayann Houglin Walker. Her Porter from Macbeth has whimsy and playfulness as well.

Jordan Aikin provides a strong willed if not stubborn Kate to her Taming of the Shrew scene with Jake Rosenberger as a frustrated Petruchio. Fortunately, they appear against each other again as Hamlet and Laeretes for a different kind of duel. Aikin’s elderly Lear provides a tragic element within the show’s section highlighting Shakespeare’s fools. The near death Lear juxtaposed to Macbeth’s drunken Porter and Falstaff’s flirtations exemplify the range this comic relief character-type has with word play and philosophy.

Highview Arts Center showcase of Shakespeare highlights some of his best work. It would be nearly impossible to show scenes from every single one of his plays yet the selections made are examples of why Shakespeare is so great. It’s understandable why he is, indeed, iconic.

Shakespeare: The Icons Highview Arts Center September 12-15, 19-22 7406 Fegenbush Lane Louisville, KY 40228 www.highviewartscenter.com