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Cymbeline
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Barbara Gaines
At Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Navy Pier
Chicago, IL
Call 312-595-5600, tickets $54 - $70
Tuesdays at 7:30 pm
Wednesdays at 1 & 7:30 pm
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 7:30 pm
Saturdays at 3 & 8 pm
Sundays at 7 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 50 minutes with intermission
Through November 11, 2007
Cymbeline unfolds as a funny romantic fairy tale
Cymbeline is one of William Shakespeare’s late romantic tragicomedies about love, fidelity and deception. Based on a legendary British tale, Cymbeline is a most enchanting magical fairy tale filled with the richly sophisticated production values that have been a hallmark of director Barbara Gaines and her production team at Chicago Shakespeare Theater over their 21 years. Michael Philippi’s bold set design with Phillip S. Rosenberg’s effective lighting with Lindsay Jones’ deft sound design to Alaric Jans and Lidsay Jones’ original music together with Susan E. Mickey’s stunningly vivid costume design and Chicago Shakespeare’s Cymbeline becomes a most delightful show.
Cymberline is an adventure featuring one of The Bard’s most resourceful female characters, Imogen (in a tour de force performance by the lovely Chaon Cross). She defies her father, King Cymbeline (a commanding Larry Yando), secretly marries Posthumus (Joe Sikora). Cymbeline banish Posthumus once he learns about the marriage. Imogen, disguised as a boy, journeys to find her husband. The adventure is on with Poshumus wagering Imogen’s fidelity against gold with the seductive Italian, Iachimo (the sexy, macho Juan Chioran). While the hilarious, swishy Cloten (Brian Sills at his comic finest) bumbles for recognition as the Queen’s son. Peopled with a wicked stepmother, clever servants, loyal outcasts and brave warriors, Cymbeline is an action packed tale with a breathtaking sword fight, many comic scenes as the wondrous tale of love lost and found is told.
The sweeping epic contains many excellent performances. Larry Yando’s Cymbeline, Shanesia Davis’ Queen together with Brian Sills energetic and funny Cloten are worth noting. Juan Chioran’s rich vocals and machismo was effective while Dennis Kelly’s Belarius and Joe Sikora’s Posthumus added nice work to the production. Joel Hatch (Pisanio), William Dick (Philario), Brad Armacost (Carius Lucisu), Stephen Louis Grush (Guiderius) and Derrick Trumbly (Arviragus) each offered fine turns.
But Cymbeline rests upon the performance of Imogen. Chaon Cross delivers a smartly complete Imogen as she has the right emotional take with sweet boyish tone (where appropriate) and sensuality to spare as the determined Imogen. 
Cymbeline’s ending is a stretch as The Bard unravels a complex set of reconciliations and repentance but that never defers from the light enchantment of the production that is spoken eloquently rendering the action easy to follow. You’ll laugh and be stunned by a startling entrance by Jupiter (John Timothy McFarland) in act two. Come witness world class Shakespeare at Navy Pier. Barbara Gaines once more demonstrates her genius as a director and storyteller.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2007
Jeff Recommended
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