Review of 'Love's Labour's Lost by Elm Shakespeare

Photo by Mike Franzman

Dedicated to the memory of Maureen Ford

New Haven, CT - The “labour of love” chosen for the 23rd season of The Elm City Shakespeare Company is one of William Shakespeare’s early comedies entitled LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST. This seldom-produced play features the longest scene, the longest single word ('honorificabilitudinitatibus') and, depending on editorial choices, the longest speech in all of Shakespeare's plays. Director Rebecca Goodheart notes that the work presents considerable challenges to audiences and artists alike, so I will begin by giving everyone who attended opening night a nod for their perseverance.

Picnicking on the grounds of the beautiful Edgerton Park in a quiet residential area of New Haven is a delightful way to spend a summer evening, even if the weather is hot and humid. Sitting for more than two hours deciphering Shakespeare’s lyrical language and tricky plot, without the intermission promised in the detailed ‘Taking Photos’ section of the program, felt interminable for some, myself included. I am usually the first one to defend the amount of effort that Shakespeare requires of his audiences, but this play proved to be exhausting.

“In these times, coming together in any way, is important more than ever. Tonight is a night of simple pleasures...music, dance, silliness, and love. But our story also underlines the importance of listening to each other, being kind, and the need to honor the rhythms we share in our humanity.” - Producing Director Rebecca Goodheart

Ms. Goodheart has set the play at what she calls the “dawn of modernity,” the early 1920s. The marvelous costumes designed by Elivia Bovenzi (assistant costume designer for the recent B’way revival of MY FAIR LADY and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF) perfectly brought us to that age and the lighting designed by Jamie Burnett showed them to their best advantage. Izmar Ickbal (MFA from Yale School of Drama) designed the set that included an impressive tent made of strings of lights. Kaia Monroe Rarick was the choreographer of the brief dance numbers and Michael Vincent Skinner’s sound design worked well except when one performer was handed a hand mic. This actually proved to be a happy accident when Martin Jason Asprey as Costard seamlessly worked the handheld into his comedic performance.

Leading this diverse cast was Equity member Martin Lewis (Paris in ROMEO AND JULIET) as King Ferdinand. The friends of the king included Equity member and Yale School of Drama MFA holder Aaron Bartz as Berowne, Michael Hinton as Longaville, and Kingston Frady as Dumaine. Their entrances dressed as Russians brought a bit of needed comedy to this comedy. Equity’s James Andreassi (who has taught at Yale, SCSU, Quinnipiac and is the founder of Elm Shakespeare) did very well with the broad role of Don Adriano de Armado, a Spanish knight. Members of the king’s household included Guilford HS grad Tyler Felson, as well as Elm Scholar Intern Company members Rowan Trowbridge-Wheeler, Tyler Munoz and Sam Hanson.

The Princess of France was played by Equity member Rachel Clausen. Her friends included Equity actress Lori Vega as Rosaline, SCSU student Sasha Mahmoud as Maria, SCSU grad Betzabeth Castro as Katherine and the wonderful Equity actress and SCSU grad Gracy Brown (Nurse in ROMEO AND JULIET) as royal chaperone Boyet in her fifth season with this company. The Princess’ household included UNH student Rose-Emma Lambridis (also messenger Marcade,) and Scholar Co. members Kaylee Osbourne and Samantha Sutton.

The inhabitants of the nearby town included Equity actor Benjamin Curns as local school teacher Holofernes in his ECS debut and Andrew Borthwick-Leslie (ROMEO AND JULIET) as the curate Nathaniel. Equity member and ESC’s Education Program Manager Sarah Bowles played a young dairy maid named Jaquenetta. Mr. Asprey was fun to watch in his first Elm Shakespeare production as Costard, a rival to Armando for the affections of Jaquenetta. Patrick Toole stood out in the role of the town constable Anthony Dull and appeared at the end as a one man band.

SCSU graduate Brianna Bauch played Moth (pronounced Mote,) a diminutive boy in the service of Don Armando. Ms. Bauch was the lovely Peaseblossom in Elm Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAMand played Hermia in A ROCKIN’ MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM with NewArts, for which she appears on the cast album recorded with Broadway Records. This young actress is simply a natural on any stage, and she succeeded in stealing the show in the role of the devoted young page. When she is not quick-changing from her uniform as a maid to the royal household, Ms. Bauch also serves as the understudy for the Princess of France. During the pre-show music, she took the lead vocals on two numbers and knocked it out of Edgerton Park. Kudos to this talented young actress that I always enjoy watching perform.

Overall, the bits of music added a lot to this production. I enjoyed the pre-show music performed by a group of singers/musicians from the cast, mostly the younger up and coming actors. That Ms. Bauch got to solo on two numbers did not surprise me. Kudos to the members of the high school intern group on keeping up with the professionals.

The Elm City Shakespeare Company FREE production of LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST runs at Edgerton Park in New Haven through Sept. 2; donations are appreciated. Park on the streets surrounding the park and bring lawn chairs, bug spray and a picnic. Blankets get the rows closest to the stage. There is a helpful synopsis in the program.

Performances are Tuesday - Sunday at 8pm in Edgerton Park with live music beginning at 7:30pm.
Seating is Open on the grass of the great lawn. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Blanket-Only Seating down front. For additional information visit the website or call 203-392-8882
https://www.elmshakespeare.org/shakespeare-in-the-park

Straight up, now tell me,
Do you really wanna love me forever,
Oh, oh, or am I caught in hit and run? - “Straight up”

Nancy Sasso Janis Photo by J. Timothy Quirk

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417