Shakespeare's monumental King Lear is currently at the Goodman Theatre where, directed by Robert Falls, we see a production that is exciting, exhilarating and…exhausting.
This play is three hours PLUS and the energy that is put into this production is monumental as well so that the audience leaves feeling exhausted, but fulfilled.
Falls has brought this 400-plus year old play into modern times, with guns, cell phones, and even Mercedes (one running, one not), and soldiers in combat outfits very much like were worn in Yugoslavia in recent years.
Lear has decided to divide his kingdom among his three daughters so that as he ages he will be free of his burdens. He bases his decision on how to split up the kingdom based on them telling him how much they love him. The eldest and second do so, but Cordelia, the youngest refuses and so she is banished and Lear's kingdom is divided in two.
He also banishes Kent, (Steve Pickering) as he has questioned Lear on this decision.
Meanwhile, the Earl of Gloucester (Edward Gero) has his own problems. Edmund, his bastard son (Jonno Roberts), convinces him that his real son, Edgar (Joaquin Torres) wants to kill him to take over his land and so Edgar leaves, leaving the question of who will rule Gloucester up in the air.
Attention is sustained with this sparkling production! From the very modern sets and costuming (by Walt Spangler and Ana Kuzmanic, respectively) sound by Richard Woodbury and lighting by Michael Phillippi, to the cast that has been assembled, this is a production that The Bard himself would applaud.
Every actor, newcomer and veteran alike, takes on the role with high energy. Howard Witt plays the Fool with a special sense of irony and the daughters are handled by the always sparkling Kate Arrington, Kim Martin-Cotten and Laura Odeh.
Stacy Keach as King makes every line, every movement, real and appear to be happening now, as if these words and actions were never uttered or enacted before. When he is on stage either as the Lord or the homeless fellow/outcast, he is nothing less that superb! (Torres's scenes with Keach are breathtaking).
Watching Lear go mad and Gloucester face difficulty are just a part of the energy that you will see in this fine production.
King Lear
Through October 22nd
The Albert at The Goodman
170 N. Dearborn
Tickets: $20-$75
Reservations: 312-443-3800 or online at www.metropolisarts.com
Alan Bresloff writes theater reviews for the Chicago area.
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