See it if
You'd like to experience a young, talented & very likeable cast convincingly (almost) meld 2 Shakespearean plays with great humor & music.
Don't see it if
You're a purist, not liking your Shakespeare reimagined, shuffled or musicalized in any way; don't like sparkly lights or theatrical magic.
Especially in times like these, it's gratifying to see young eyes & energy diving so into the text & timelessness of Shakespeare. It's an almost visceral thing, watching & feeling their joy as they nightly discover & convey the truths in their characters & text. A blend or weave of two disparate plays, it's a theatrical experiment, in some ways not unlike the sometimes cut & paste efforts of the Shakespeares, Marlowes & Beaumonts that have come down to us now as classics.
Conceptually & visually inventive, with the cast playing music throughout in songs, sounds & effects, rhythms & spoken iambs, the direction is smooth & seamless with a terrific use of ever-changing space, props & instruments.
In a very strong ensemble, Katie Fanning's Rosaline stands out as does Allyson Capetta's Verges, & their stunning, transporting solo harmony virtually stops the show. Nat Angstrom's textual weave could use a little tightening for clarity, but it's a fine, fun evening, time well spent with this quick-witted cast.
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