Snoop's Theatre Thoughts

The Tempest
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Robert M. Kapeller
Stray Dog Theatre’s Silver Stage
May 5, 2018

Sharon Schacher, Anita Anton, Suzanne Greenwald, Angela Bubash (Assistant Director)
Photo: Stray Dog Theatre

Recently, Stray Dog Theatre debuted a new project, the “Silver Stage” program. With just three performances on a weekend, this production featuring actors all aged 60 or over represents a promising new venture for the company. It was a small-ish production, somwhat rough around the edges, with some big performances and a great deal of energy and enthusiasm.

There were some fun ideas here, starting with the audience. In fitting with the show’s tropical island setting, the “tickets” audience members received were actually leis. There was also a big deal made of encouraging patrons to donate an extra penny in order to become Elizabethan-style “Groundlings”. Shots of whiskey and soft drinks were handed out, a celebratory toast was made, and the Groundlings were encouraged to stand up and cheer and shout comments. Although it’s a fun idea, it wasn’t particularly successful, since everyone stayed in their seats and stayed relatively quiet except for moments of expected laughter and applause. If the company would like to continue this idea in the future, perhaps it would be good to plant a few “ringer” Groundlings in the audience, which might encourage others to want to stand and offer their comments.

The staging was simple and tropically themed, with bright and whimsical costumes and a simple set by director Robert M. Kapeller. There’s also some creative use of pop hits of the 60s as soundtrack music. Assistant Director Angela Bubash sat to one side of the stage to serve as line prompter for the production and also, in a one comic moment, as a prop holder for Bill George’s Ferdinand.  It was a simple set-up, and overall a positive, energetic atmosphere, although the line-prompting services were occasionally utilized and it was obvious that some of the players had more theatrical experience than others.

Overall, it was a lively, fun production of one of Shakespeare’s weirdest plays, with Suzanne Greenwald’s mysterious Prospero at the center, and with an energetic ensemble. Standout performances included the aforementioned Greenwald as well as George, who displayed cute chemistry with the equally strong Sharon Schachter as Prospero’s daughter Miranda. There were also memorable moments from Anita Anton as the mischievous sprite Ariel, and in the scenes with Philip Wright as the vengeful Caliban, Laura Kyro as the jester Trinculo, and Dave Houghton as the butler Stephano. While this wasn’t a particularly polished production, it certainly had its moments and marks for a promising beginning to a new program at Stray Dog Theatre. I’m curious to see what future Silver Stage productions bring.