Call it "Shakespeare's Greatest Hits."
The Rogue Theatre's production of "Immortal Longings" brings some of Will's most famous women together, ostensively to argue whether Juliet should live or not.
But, really, we think it's so some of his most famous scenes can be performed.
Portia, who sits in judgment in this makeshift court designed to determine Juliet's fate, does her "The quality of mercy is not strain'd" speech. Juliet hangs over a balcony and cries out, "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?"
And Lady Macbeth is trying desperately to get out that damn spot.
Happily, Rogue pulled a cast of talented women together to bring the characters, and the arguments about Juliet, to life.
Joseph McGrath wrote and directed "Immortal Longings," and his premise is this: Young, beautiful Juliet wants to live. This pretty much shocks Shakespeare's other women, who gather around to discuss the issue.
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"The poet's text has been our law and always governed our behavior," says Rosalind.
"But it isn't done," Portia says of changing Juliet's fate.
Still, Juliet is young and impetuous, and she wants her day in court.
And so begins a trial that is thick with the aforementioned Shakespearean scenes, interspersed with some delicious arguments.
Kate, from "The Taming of the Shrew," feels that 14 is too young for Juliet to die.
"Fate is woven deep into the fabric," says Lady Macbeth, who insists Juliet die.
And so it goes, with all performing scenes from their plays to illustrate their point.
Though the premise is intriguing, no argument is particularly convincing. And the weighty discussions surrounding the meaning of death are never satisfactorily explored. McGrath, perhaps in an effort to make the play more accessible to the masses, made obvious choices with the characters he chose and the Shakespearean scenes he duplicated. We would have loved a few surprises.
Still, there are those greatest hits. You can't go wrong with them.
And there were solid actors who brought the scenes to vivid life:
Lesley Abrams gave her Portia the appropriate amount of authority mixed with compassion, and Cynthia Meier, who stood tall and mighty as Lady Macbeth, infused her character with all the greedy power we imagine Shakespeare intended.
Alida Holguin Gunn gave a great feistiness to her disobeying Kate, Avis Judd charmed with her knows-her-own-mind Beatrice (from "Much Ado About Nothing"), and Dallas Thomas' love-struck Juliet was bursting with innocence and hormones.
There were others, too, who captivated, including Laine Peterson as the loopy Ophelia, Susan Arnold as the regal Cleopatra, Chelsea Bowdren and Holly-Marie Carlson in multiple roles, and, especially, Maxine Gillespie in a heartbreaking portrayal of the tragic Desdemona.
McGrath shaped a play that moved quickly — though the second act might have benefited from a few cuts — and was splashed with humor.
But it isn't really much of a play. It felt more like an excuse to put all those famous scenes on stage in the same production.
And, hey, we're Shakespeare fans. We can get behind that.
Review
"Immortal Longings: An Argument Erupts Among Shakespeare's Greatest Women"
• Director/writer: Joseph McGrath, with scenes from Shakespeare.
• When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through April 5.
• Where: Zuzi Theater, 738 North Fifth Avenue in the historic YWCA.
• Tickets: $20. Thursday is pay-what-you-will night.
• Information/reservations: 551-2053 or www.theroguetheatre.org
• Et cetera: Ethereal pre-show music by Harlan Hokin and his merry band of musicians and singers will put you right in the mood for the play. Get there 15 minutes before curtain to hear it all.
Also . . .
"This Property Is Condemned"
• Presented by: The Now Theatre in conjunction with Rogue After Curfew.
• When: 10:15 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays through April 4, after Rogue's production of "Immortal Longings," and 4 p.m. Sunday.
• Where: Zuzi Theater.
• Tickets: $10, $5 if you see the Rogue's production of "Immortal Longings" on the same day.
• Information: 551-2053 or www.theroguetheatre.org
Now Theatre's Blanche DuBois
If you've ever wondered what Blanche DuBois was like as a young woman, "This Property Is Condemned" will satisfy your curiosity. The Now Theatre, in conjunction with Rogue After Curfew, opened the piece last weekend.
The Tennessee Williams character sketch — at about 30 minutes and with no real plot, it can hardly be called a play — seems to explore the flighty nature, sexuality and frailty of Williams' famous Blanche character from "A Streetcar Named Desire."
Still, this is a Williams piece — even his character sketches are compelling.
Laine Peterson was the young Willie, a 13-year-old girl who is all alone. Tom, a young boy who doesn't do much but listen to and encourage Willie's story, is played with a painful shyness by Nic Adams. Adams also directed, with an eye toward clarity and simplicity.
Peterson's distinctive, childlike voice served her character well, and Adams was heart-rending to watch, so effective was he as this curious, awkward boy.
