By Ed Lowe
Senior Writer
A lot of people approach a Shakespearean play with the same misgivings they felt in a second year high school English class. The intimidating archaic language, the intricate plot twists and the subtle moral dilemmas all tend to put most theater goers into a semi-rigid fright. To a great extent, Mary Zimmerman's direction of the obscure Shakespearean play "Pericles" has put those fears to rest.
The play, which has had its run at the Goodman extended through Feb. 19, is a delightful interpretation of the somewhat muddled plotting that the Bard wrote as one of his final works. Through the use of what can be termed a cacophony of anachronisms in costuming and set decorations, Zimmerman brings the cast into a play that captures elements of Greek drama and low Elizabethan comedy without ever seeming campy or irreverent. While preserving what clarity there is in the original plotting of the comedy-romance, Zimmerman also provides contemporary audiences with a few belly laughs.
Simply described, the plot revolves around Pericles, the Prince of Tyre, who seeks the hand of the daughter of Antiochus, king of Antioch. Antiochus requires the solution of a riddle for his daughter's hand but Pericles, perfectly performed by Goodman veteran Ryan Artizberger, sees through the puzzle, realizes that Antiochus' relationship with his daughter transcends paternal responsibility, and leaves the court to go on an Odyssey to other kingdoms in the Mediterranean basin. His adventures with a variety of characters, kings, pirates, an occasional virgin and some bawdy personalities fill out the somewhat overlong production.
Many members of Zimmerman's ensemble cast are veterans of her production, last year, of the award winning "Silk." Colleen Delany as Thaisa does an exceptional job as the virginal, shy and reluctant daughter of Pericles while a visitor in Pentapolis. With her over-the-top performance as Bawd, Naomi Jacobson provides some of the second act's slapstick comedy relief.
But the real stars of the show are the sets and costuming which range, without regard to the action, from 16th century renderings of ancient Greek apparel to 20th century interiors of bawdy houses with some 19th century middle European uniforms, a few Elizabethan fixtures, some 11th century weapons and a batch of shimmering blue cloth pieces shaken to resemble the sea during Pericles' many voyages.
"Pericles" tickets are available through the Goodman box office; call (312) 443-3820. Subject to availability, half price tickets can be bought at the box office at 170 N. Dearborn St. after 6 p.m. on the evening of performance. The tickets are scaled between $20 and $65.
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