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Pericles, Prince of Tyre
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Mary Zimmerman
At the Goodman Theatre
170 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL
Call 312-443-3800.tickets $20 - $65
Tuesday Jan 31 at 7:30 PM (only)
Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 2 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2 & 7:30 Pm
Running time is 2 hrs, 45 min with intermission
Through February 19, 2006
Mary Zimmerman’s Pericles engagingly delightful fun
The Goodman Theatre’s first Shakespeare play in nearly ten years is the rarely-produced Pericles, Prince of Tyre, a fable many scholars believe that Shakespeare didn’t entirely write (they believe innkeeper George Wilkins wrote the first two of five acts.) Scholars also consider the work among The Bard’s lesser works. However, in the hands of the imaginative director, Mary Zimmerman, Pericles unfolds as a playful romp rich in vibrancy, long on eloquence with humorous scenes, wacky characters including a tyrant king, an evil stepmother, beautiful young heroine in an adventure that takes Pericles sailing the Mediterranean Sea to ports in Asia Minor. I was captivated throughout by the clarity of the piece and articulation of the cast.
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Zimmerman has reassembled many of her production team and cast members from the acclaimed Washington D.C. production last year. From the impressive set (designed by Daniel Ostling) with large gray walls and large windows, double centered doors and draws to hold the props together with 17th Century Elizabethan costumes by Mara Blumenfeld and interesting lighting by T.J. Gerckens featuring generous floor lights that cast eerie shows; add terrific sound effects by Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman and Pericles unfolds as a technical gem and visual feast.
Zimmerman’s attention to details includes interesting, clever scene changes and cute transitions that add to the lightness and give the show flavor. I also liked the use of onstage actors as the chorus to offer narrative information once their scene had ended.
Pericles is the mythical voyage of the good prince whose adventures include shipwrecks, jousting games, a whirlwind courtship and marriage ending when he believes he has lost his wife and child to the sea. We see him almost destroyed by grief as we see how his wife and his infant daughter (unknown to him) survive only to be reunited with Pericles eventually. Along the way, we meet pirates, the folks who run a bordello and a nasty stepmother in an enterprise that is swiftly paced and easy to follow.
The romantic comedy is marvelously acted with smart, eloquent cast led by the charismatic Ryan Artzberger in the title role. Artzberger is the pure dedicated hero whom we like and quietly cheer for. Craig Spidle (Helicanus), Joel Hatch (King Simonides), Glory Kissel (Cerimon) and Marguerite Stimpson (Marina) gave excellent performances.
What makes Pericles so enjoyable is Zimmerman’s light hearted staging where miniature ships on long poles are displayed above waving blue satin material moving like the sea. Zany knights act the fool and celebrations use Old English folk dances in clever 17th Century style giving hints of original practices amongst Zimmerman’s artsy staging. This fable’s tale of redemption is smart, clever and totally enchanting. Zimmerman has made a lesser Shakespeare play into a treat.
“Pericles is a perfect example of Mary’s work at its best,” said Artistic Director Robert Falls. “She has created an endlessly entertaining fable of tragedy and loss, an epic series of journeys, gleeful low comedy, the delicacy of first love and the miracle of restoration.” A Mary Zimmerman directed play is a ‘must see.’ She calls Pericles “a box of delights.” I call it terrific theatre.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago Radio Show
This show is eligible for a C.S. T. Equity Theatre Award
January 17, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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