Hudson Shakespeare Company performs “All’s Well That Ends Well” in various local parks as part of their free summer theater program.
This play tackles some of love’s stickier themes like infidelity, manipulation and obsession.
HSC’s production sticks to the original script except for the cuts that make it only a little over two hours. With beautiful period costumes, good staging, and a fast-moving plot – what better way is there to spend a summer night?
A story of unrequited love
Who doesn’t understand how painful it can be to love someone that doesn’t love you back? Yet, imagine how much worse for you if the object of your affection happened to be your step-brother. Poor Helena, the orphaned daughter of a doctor, has fallen for The Count Bertram, son of the king and step-brother to her.
Well, at least she gets to see him every day!
But all is not lost for our heroine, who in a moment of inspiration manages to get the king to award her the hand of any man of her choosing. No surprise that she picks Bertram, but it is a little shocking to see his disgust of the entire arrangement.
The plot thickens…
Bertram curses the whole business and decides to escape to Italy. He leaves his sad wife behind with her virginity intact. That doesn’t stop Helena, who would be considered a stalker by today’s standards! She follows him to Italy and finds that he has taken up with another woman named Diana. Diana and her mother take pity on Helena, and the three women concoct a scheme for her to win her husband back. In keeping with the Bard’s love of mistaken identity, Bertram is fooled into thinking Helena is Diana. All is not perfect at the end of the show, nor are his characters entirely likable.
Bertram is disobedient to his father and unfaithful in his marriage. Helena is manipulative and obsessive. Bertram’s best friend Parolles is a liar. Diana aids Helena in a game of deceit. Bertram’s father and mother think they know what is best for him.
Does any of that sound familiar?
Although Shakespeare couldn’t have known it at the time, this play depicts the modern relationship far better than some of his happier fairy tale fantasies of people stuck in the woods.
“All’s Well That Ends Well” is usually classified as one of Shakespeare’s problem plays. It can’t be thought of as a typical comedy because, well, there isn’t a marriage at the end. The play is actually closer to the dramedy, which has both comic and tragic elements.
This production by HSC sticks to the script and should have a wide appeal. Who doesn’t like watching someone else’s disastrous relationships?
Cast and crew
“All’s Well That Ends Well” was produced by artistic director of HSC Jon Cicarelli and directed by Laurie Jeffers. Jeffers has been with HSC since 1997 and recently directed “Macbeth,” which toured in Jersey City. In addition to her theater work, she also has her own film company.
Hollie Rosenburg is the assistant director for the production.
Morgan Nicols plays the male lead, Bertram. This is his first season with HSC. Beth Jastroch plays Bertram’s mother and the widow. (Jastroch is pictured on this issue’s cover with Nichols.) Michael Hagins is the fight choreographer for the show and also plays Parolles. He also directed this season’s “Two Gentleman of Verona.”
Jacqueline Thuener-Rego plays Helena. Other cast members in this production include: Shira Kobren, Sara Haley, Frank Franconeri, Laura Mae Baker, Lindsey Carroll, Akilah Williams, Becca Hackett, Ian Roettger and Luther.
About HSC
The Hudson Shakespeare Company, which was formed in 1992 and made into a non-for-profit in ’98, puts on plays throughout the year. Every year the company performs four plays of Shakespeare (or a classical production) from May to August during their summer season.
Their second stage productions include modern playwrights and are performed in a variety of indoor locations tailored to meet the needs of the play and the director.
“A Few Good Men” (part of the 2006 season) was performed in the Hoboken courthouse. This production is part of the Enchanted Summer Nights series that is sponsored by the City of Hoboken, Mayor Roberts, and more.
For a complete list of dates and times please see sidebar.
For more information, visit: www.hobokennj.org. For information on the company, visit: www.hudsonshakespeare.org.
‘All’s Well That Ends Well’
Friday, Aug. 11, Van Vorst Park, JC, 7 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 14, Sinatra Park, Hoboken, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 17, Ellsworth, Union City, 8 p.m.
All performances will take place as scheduled unless there is heavy rain. For more information, visit: www.hudsonshakespeare.org.