Oxfordians Shakespeare

This coming weekend I am performing in Measure for Measure as the Provost with The Oxfordians.

The provost is a simple jailer, but one of the most compassionate jailers I've ever read about. He actually has quite a lot of compassion for all of the "guests" of his prison.

Mow Measure for Measure. Its one of Willy's problem plays for so many reasons. It does contain some beautiful language and some very funny characters. But there are numerous issues, a death, the fact that it starts out a comedy and ends almost as a tragedy. The bad guy doesn't really get his just desserts. And overall, the scheming Duke/Friar is more annoying than helpful. Like most comedies there is a plot or a trick that the characters decide to put into place in order to catch someone, or something to that nature. I feel this "trick" in M4M is too little too late. But alas, we have it and we're performing it.

So the dates and times are
2/25-2/28 @ 7 pm
and 2/27-2/28 @ 2pm.

I had thought taking this would give me a glimpse into how an Oxfordian looks at shakes. It didn't. What it did do is drive home the idea that no matter who wrote these plays (I am a Stratfordian) they're all approached with the same respect, reverence, and lightheartedness that they need. So there is no special technique. If anything, this has been an exercise in getting my lines down as fast as possible. I'm almost there.

Now, the Oxfordians of course believe that the Earl of Oxford, Edward D'Vere was the author of many, if not all of Shakespeare's plays. One of the many potential authors. And out of all the crazy possibilities, he is the most legitimate candidate aside form Shakespeare himself.
Here is the site for the company of actors.

And this is the site for the Oxford Shakespeare Company. Both led by Ron Destro. Their goal is to open a Globe in the heart of Downtown NY. I could see that, you?

Getting Even with Shakespeare: Review!

So it happened. It was inevitable. The reviewers came, watched our show, left to go to wherever reviewers go post show to pen their reviews. I imagine a tall writing desk akin to something Bob Cratchett sits at. And Monday came and went without a word. But Tuesday! Tuesday was the big day. Thank you NYTheater, thank you cast, crew, everyone. The review is amazing. Glowing. Could not be happier. And really was there any doubt?

So here are the real good bits:

They are quite the ensemble. Well cast and capable they bring a real joy to the stage; it's obvious these guys are having a great time. While the whole cast is consistently fun to watch, there are, as with any show, the obvious standouts. Martin Glyer's Hamlet is a brilliant send-up of the moody Dane, an effete collegiate whose grave matter-of-fact veneer is at mirthful odds with his mother-loving core. Rachel Halper's Juliet is a pint-sized dynamo of teen rage—she has embraced the modern era to the hilt; spouting twitterspeak and screwing anything with a six figure bank account. In hilarious counterpoint to Halper is Ben Holmes's Romeo, a beleaguered boyfriend whose innocence is the most powerful aphrodisiac in the world to every woman except the one he loves.

Am I gushing a little? Yeah. I really, really enjoyed this show. In spite of all of the factors working against this play, the creative team turned every obstacle into an asset. I sincerely hope that this show gets remounted or extended, and that Saldarelli keeps writing for the theatre. Get to see this one before it closes. If you have any semblance of a sense of humor, you'll have a great time.

And here is the link to the review: CLICK HERE!!!

It really is a great review. I almost sound shocked, but sadly there is so much bad theater out there that it seems lately good reviews are rare. It's sad that I have to turn to my friends and say, I actually like everyone in this cast, or The play is really good. All too often we enter into shows thinking it will be great and then its one indy theater let down after another. But for this, I am proud of my work, and the work of my peers on stage and behind the scenes. Thank you all!