Chicago Shakespeare Theater Experiments with Repertory Company in ‘The Winter’s Tale’

Director Edward Hall is testing the waters with a new approach at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. His production of “The Winter’s Tale” marks the start of an experiment involving a repertory company of actors. These performers are ready to take on multiple plays simultaneously. This initiative offers consistent work to experienced Chicago actors, fostering collaboration over the fall and early winter. Hall’s interest in building Shakespearean productions around a stable group is evident, reflecting the original format of these plays with their consistent cast sizes and character types.

The play opened on a Sunday afternoon, with its next performance scheduled for Friday night. During the week, the company is rehearsing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” set to open on November 15. Both plays will then run in a “rotating rep,” allowing audiences in late November to see them both in a single theater day. This strategy mirrors the Stratford Festival of Canada’s approach, often to great effect.

Critics should hold off on final judgment until both plays are running. After watching the first, it is apparent that “The Winter’s Tale” needs a more intense emotional landscape, despite interesting performances and staging ideas. This play, like other Shakespearean romances, presents a world where characters may find redemption despite serious mistakes.

The story hinges on King Leontes’ baseless jealousy, which causes wide-reaching devastation. Eventually, the universe presents Leontes with a chance to reconcile. Demetrios Troy plays Leontes in this production. A key aspect of the play’s climax is the bittersweet nature of its resolutions. Leontes’ jealousy disrupts the lives of his wife Hermione, portrayed by Jessica Dean Turner, and others, but not all escape unscathed. The doubling of roles, such as Felicia Oduh playing both Perdita and Mamillius, reduces the emotional impact of these narrative conclusions.

Director Hall, like some contemporaries, struggles with redeeming Leontes. The play offers no absolution, only the hope that life’s mysteries might eventually provide some salvation. The production’s early scenes excel in showing how sycophants enable destructive behavior. Actors like Kevin Gudahl, Sean Fortunato, and Erik Hellman illustrate this dynamic, resonating with contemporary political scenarios.

Issy Van Randwyck stands out as Paulina, the only character with the courage to challenge Leontes. She commands the stage with focus and determination. Hall includes lighthearted scenes, presenting Bohemia as a counterculture haven with a rock band and Fortunato as a rocker, offering entertainment but potentially distracting from the play’s more serious elements.

Despite these critiques, the production achieves much with its clarity, elegance, and humor. Designer Michael Pavelka provides stunning costumes and set design. The iconic “Exit, pursued by a bear” direction is skillfully executed, enhancing the audience’s enjoyment. Yet, the play remains a story of profound emotional stakes, driven by error and regret.

Review: “The Winter’s Tale” (3 stars)
Running Through: December 12
Location: Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier
Running Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Tickets: $65-$135 at 312-595-5600 and chicagoshakes.com