William Shakespeare himself could not have picked a finer ensemble for his classic, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” featuring Michael Matthys (Valentine), Brad Wilcox (Proteus), Summer Sinclair (Julia), and Annunziata Gianzero (Silvia) from Classical Theater Lab. In conjunction with the city of West Hollywood, this will hopefully be the first production of future annual Shakespeare in the Parks.
Like many of Shakespeare’s other comedies, “The Two Gentleman of Verona” involves somewhat of a perverse love square (not triangle because there are four parties involved instead of three). Both Valentine and Proteus are young men trying to achieve their destinies, with Valentine seeking worldly affairs and Proteus seeking affairs of the heart. Initially scoffing the very idea of love between Proteus and his lady Julia, Valentine’s cynical view assuages when he meets Sylvia, the Duke’s daughter, on his recourse in Milan.
Of course, complications arise when Proteus leaves Verona to join Valentine, only to also fall in love with the beautiful Sylvia. The rest of the play ensues with disguises, schemes, and drama the way only Shakespeare could dexterously entangle. The themes underlying the comedic overtones are still relevant in these contemporary times: the strength of friendship, the inconsistencies of the heart, and the capriciousness of human nature.
Directed by Stuart W. Howard (Antonio & Sir Eglamour), whose previous directorial credits include The Tempest, Cymbeline, and The Libertine, just to name a few, there is not a moment dropped in “Two Gentlemen”, gracefully executed in the Fiesta Hall Courtyard of Plummer Park. In his creative vision, Howard daringly adds the Goddess of Love (Karin de la Penha) as a character in his play, producing a fulfilling consummation to events that take place on stage. Mattys himself has said that working with Howard previously was a prominent reason for his decision to be in this play. Though Mattys, a six year veteran of Classical Theater lab, modestly admits that “It was probably the most challenging role I’ve ever had to play,” it is evident in watching “Two Gentlemen” that there is no shortage of talent and skills for either director or actor.
The “stage” that “Two Gentlemen” is set in is a small courtyard with minimal props, and yet the strength of the actors and the elaborate costuming creates an alluring believability that one is in the Italian renaissance, allowing the audience to guiltlessly share the same voyeuristic fruits as Love. With multiple gates and entrances, the Fiesta Hall Courtyard is perfectly versatility for the ebb and tide of the performers, giving the audience a three dimensional experience, more than they would normally receive from a flat theater stage.
Following the tradition of Free Shakespeare in the Park in New York City and San Francisco, Stephen Moramarco (Pantino, Host & Outlaw #2) hopes that this first run in West Hollywood will bring forth more cultural awareness of the great classics. And without a doubt, no better city in Los Angeles than WeHo could take on such an artful venture.
The rest of the cast includes Julie Alexander (Speed), Serena Berne (Lucetta & Outlaw #1), Alexander Wells (Lance), Barry Saltzman (Turio & Outlaw #3), Miles Wiltshire (Duke of Milan), and with his first theatrical debut, Lucca Puccini Waters-Howard (Crab the Dog), the beloved pet of director Stuart W. Howard.
Performances take place every Saturday and Sunday at 5:00pm until mid-August. For the rest of July, the 28th and 29th, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” will remain at Plummer Park, at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046 in the Fiesta Hall Courtyard, and starting in August, on the 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th, performances will be held in West Hollywood Park, at 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, opposite the Pacific Design Center, in the Robertson Courtyard behind the playground. To make reservations for this free summer event, please call (323) 960-5691.
For more information on Classical Theater Lab, please visit their website, www.classicaltheaterlab.org.
