Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” is a great sprawling comedy about adolescent behavior that, in conventional productions, is often too full of incredible events and dizzying changes in locale to be enjoyable. But the current, unconventional Shakespeare Theatre Company production, directed by P.J. Paparelli, is a cogent, savvy “Two Gentlemen” that crackles with so much raw energy and passion, all the play’s weaknesses become strengths. “Two Gentlemen” begins in Verona, with two close friends, Valentine (Andrew Veenstra) and Proteus (Nick Dillenburg). Valentine is leaving for Milan to experience the world. Proteus remains behind to be with his love, Julia (Miriam Silverman), until ordered to Milan by his father.
Proteus is accompanied by his servant, the classic fool Launce (Euan Morton), who in turn is accompanied by his faithful dog Crab (Oliver). Oliver’s biography isn’t in the program, but he’s rumored to have had a considerable professional career, and he’s a real asset to all Morton’s comedic turns.
Once in Milan, Valentine instantly falls in love with the Duke’s daughter, Silvia (Natalie Mitchell). Once he arrives, Proteus is also overwhelmed by Silvia’s beauty and vows to win her by telling the Duke that Valentine plans to run away with her. The Duke banishes Valentine, who heads for dangerous Mantua until all is resolved in a happy ending.
| Onstage |
| ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ |
| Where: The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Lansburgh Theatre, 450 Seventh St. NW |
| When: Through March 4 |
| Info: $39 to $90; 202-547-1122; shakespearetheatre.org |
Paparelli’s brilliant vision for the play sets it in a timeless zone. People use computers. There is a bar scene that could be somewhere in D.C. today. The postmodern, all-metal set by Walt Spangler is made up of bridges, stairways and ladders.
Above the set are surtitles, which announce things like “It’s Mantua. Do You Know Where Your Children Are?” and “Yikes!” The surtitles not only make sense of the rapid place changes in the text. They also provide humorous commentary on some of the play’s less-than-humorous events.
Composer Fabian Obispo and Music Director Jon Kalbfleisch have created marvelous music to accompany the play, allowing an updated rendition of “Who is Sylvia?” and some pretty a cappella singing to brush up against Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” Michael Bobbitt’s choreography allows the large cast to move and dance smoothly through the play.
The actors are all extraordinary, particularly Morton in his comic role and Inga Ballard as Julia’s waiting woman. Veenstra and Dillenburg are well-matched, as are Silverman and Mitchell. Although some directors seek to make “Two Gentlemen” a morality play, commenting on good versus evil, Paparelli’s comic vision keeps this production credible, hip, accessible to a 2012 audience, and simply great fun.
