Bedfordtimesregister.com - Tragic 'King Lear' comes to Stan Hywet

by April Helms

Special Products Editor

The Ohio Shakespeare Festival has tackled a large, wide-ranging piece with Shakespeare's tragedy "King Lear," which opened July 29 and runs through Aug. 15.

But the large cast assembled to stage the show is more than up to the task, putting on a performance that is both engaging and (if you are at least somewhat familiar with the storyline) easy to follow.

"King Lear" is a study of political intrigue, backstabbing and plotting. Terry Burgler, co-artistic director for OSF, takes on the title role of Lear, an aging monarch who decides to parcel off his lands to his daughters and enjoy retirement. He demands that his three daughters flatter him with oaths of love and loyalty in exchange for a choice land dowry. The two older daughters, Regan and Goneril (played by Dede Klein and Holly Humes respectively) eagerly flatter their father, but the youngest Cordelia (played by Burgler's real-life daughter Tess Burgler) refuses to stoop to false flattery. Enraged, Lear disinherits her. Saddened, Cordelia still finds that one of her suitors, the King of France (played by Jeremy Jenkins) is willing to marry her despite of her changed circumstances.

It doesn't take long, however, for Regan and Goneril's true colors to show through. At first, their plight is somewhat sympathetic. Lear has taken to the notion of living with his daughters, bringing his still sizable retinue with him. Such an influx of rowdy, boisterous houseguests would be hard to put up with. But after Lear flatly refuses to give up his servants and takes off in a rage, the sisters turn their goal to murdering their addled father. Regan's husband the Duke of Cornwall (played by Timothy Champion) is eager to go along with the plan, being even more cold and brutal than the oldest daughter is. Goneril's husband the Duke of Albany (played by Jim Fippin) isn't keen on the idea. It doesn't take long for the sisters to start plotting against themselves, especially with the machinations of Edmund (played by Eric Lualdi), the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester (played by Robert Hawkes), who plays for their affections in a gamble to better his position in life. The devious Edmund also is playing his father against the "legitimate" brother Edgar (played by Andrew Cruse), resulting in Edgar having to flee and go into hiding as a crazed beggar. The ending result leads to an all-out war, and (of course) tragedy as those still loyal to Lear rise up against Regan and Goneril.

The story is not just one of treachery; there are many examples of loyalty and kindness. Cordelia remains loving and loyal to her father despite his actions; the scenes between them toward the end are some of the most touching in the play. The Earl of Kent (played by David McNees) is banished early on along with Cordelia for speaking up for the youngest princess, but he returns to serve Lear in disguise as the servant Caius. The Earl of Gloucester remains loyal to Lear and helps the aged king, at a terrible price. Edgar eventually finds out about the betrayal of Edmund, and returns to help his father. King Lear's Fool (played by Dylan White) also remains faithful to the old king and Cordelia.

Before the Ohio Shakespeare Festival's staging of "King Lear" is the company's Greenshow, which starts about a half hour before the main production. Guests should consider arriving for this preshow tradition, which includes songs and numbers that may have been popular in Shakespeare's time. This Greenshow includes a hilarious musical spoof of another Shakespearean tragedy, "Hamlet," which alone is worth the price of admission.

Ticket and show information

Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 8 p.m., with the Greenshow starting at 7:30. Stan Hywet's grounds open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for reserved seating (the first 100 seats closest to the stage), or $25 for festival (open) seating. Student tickets are $15, and further discounts on adult tickets are available for OSF and Stan Hywet Members.

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is at 714 N. Portage Path in Akron. Reservations may be made any time through OSF's website at www.ohioshakespeare.com, or by calling the box office at 330-673-8761 daily (except Mondays) between noon and 5 p.m.

E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153