Go "Stag" at Waterplace Park
By Jim Seavor | Motif Magazine
Free summer theater is back at Waterplace Park … and elsewhere. While gondolas float in the basin, the Elemental Theatre is racing through its version of Carlo Gozzi's King Stag. The 18th century play has been updated by Dave Rabinow who also provides the lyrics to Paul Leonard Scharf's music. Unlike A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum which promised "tragedy tomorrow comedy tonight,” this troupe is promising "the most serious play in the world."
Not!
While King Stag does consider love, betrayal, people transforming into animals - and vice versa - there really isn't a serious thought in its head. And Elemental has no intention of searching for one. Here is a show that, while it includes star-crossed lovers - "like Romeo and Juliet and Ben and Jay Lo" - somehow we know from the start that all will end well.
It's played broadly - the better to reach the folk camped out at the rear of the ampitheater - and it does get off to a forced start. The actors have to get used to the space and the audience has to get used to the sound system and the style of the performances. That style is full out. For a while, as one character tries to get the audience to tell her where another is hiding, it seems to be heading for children's theater. It doesn't.
Things settle down and Rabinow's rhyming script works well. This King Stag sticks closely to Gozzi's original. The set is a couple of branches painted white and standing in for trees and a couple, equally white, boxes for people to stand on.
But magic can happen and when a character has to take on the form and life of a stag, the change is handled nicely.
The nine member cast makes a strong ensemble (Peter Sampieri handled the direction) and, if occasionally you may wonder who is chasing after whom, it eventually becomes clear. There's a king, Deramo (Alexander Platt) who is looking or a bride. He's up to hopeful number 2,751. His prime minister Tartaglia (David Rabinow) wants to make sure his daughter lands the job. (Hint, he's not a nice man.) In all, there are three women who want to marry, but only one wants to marry the king. Life is complicated in Serendip.
The music serves the play well….even if the opening song manages to rhyme "happy" with "crappy." The fart jokes taper off. (Something else that seems aimed at kids.) And as the evening progresses King Stag takes on a life of its own. The plot takes over. The players and the played settle into a rhythm and all's right with the world - at least this small corner of it.
King Stag, Waterplace Park, July 14, 28 & Aug 8. Free show at 6 p.m. Other performances and locations, call (401) 447-3001 or visit www.elementaltheatre.org
www.motifmagazine.net
The URL link to this article is no longer functional. We have reproduced the text of the article here. Any errors are the responsibility of Elemental Theatre.
Free summer theater is back at Waterplace Park … and elsewhere. While gondolas float in the basin, the Elemental Theatre is racing through its version of Carlo Gozzi's King Stag. The 18th century play has been updated by Dave Rabinow who also provides the lyrics to Paul Leonard Scharf's music. Unlike A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum which promised "tragedy tomorrow comedy tonight,” this troupe is promising "the most serious play in the world."
Not!
While King Stag does consider love, betrayal, people transforming into animals - and vice versa - there really isn't a serious thought in its head. And Elemental has no intention of searching for one. Here is a show that, while it includes star-crossed lovers - "like Romeo and Juliet and Ben and Jay Lo" - somehow we know from the start that all will end well.
It's played broadly - the better to reach the folk camped out at the rear of the ampitheater - and it does get off to a forced start. The actors have to get used to the space and the audience has to get used to the sound system and the style of the performances. That style is full out. For a while, as one character tries to get the audience to tell her where another is hiding, it seems to be heading for children's theater. It doesn't.
Things settle down and Rabinow's rhyming script works well. This King Stag sticks closely to Gozzi's original. The set is a couple of branches painted white and standing in for trees and a couple, equally white, boxes for people to stand on.
But magic can happen and when a character has to take on the form and life of a stag, the change is handled nicely.
The nine member cast makes a strong ensemble (Peter Sampieri handled the direction) and, if occasionally you may wonder who is chasing after whom, it eventually becomes clear. There's a king, Deramo (Alexander Platt) who is looking or a bride. He's up to hopeful number 2,751. His prime minister Tartaglia (David Rabinow) wants to make sure his daughter lands the job. (Hint, he's not a nice man.) In all, there are three women who want to marry, but only one wants to marry the king. Life is complicated in Serendip.
The music serves the play well….even if the opening song manages to rhyme "happy" with "crappy." The fart jokes taper off. (Something else that seems aimed at kids.) And as the evening progresses King Stag takes on a life of its own. The plot takes over. The players and the played settle into a rhythm and all's right with the world - at least this small corner of it.
King Stag, Waterplace Park, July 14, 28 & Aug 8. Free show at 6 p.m. Other performances and locations, call (401) 447-3001 or visit www.elementaltheatre.org
www.motifmagazine.net
The URL link to this article is no longer functional. We have reproduced the text of the article here. Any errors are the responsibility of Elemental Theatre.