A doo-wop serenade, an adorable bromance, and a biker gang are almost as far as you can get from traditional Shakespeare. But West Springfield High School manages to bring all these elements, and more, together with the Bard's classic dialogue in their production of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona,” set in the Ivy League-esque "Milan College" during the fabulous 50s.
One of Shakespeare's earliest works, “Two Gentlemen” was first performed sometime between 1594 and 1595. As part of Shakespeare's oeuvre, it's a theater classic despite being considered one his weakest works. It follows the love lives of the two gentlemen, Proteus and Valentine, as they go through the trials and tribulations of the bromance and romance of college.
Despite the difficulty of Shakespeare's language, which was exaggerated by the way sound dipped in and out at times, the actors consistently conveyed their message through their excellent facial expressions and movement. The actors' comedic physicality was further highlighted by several silent scenes at the top of every setting change which had remarkable focus and comedic value for minute-long skits. This expertise in silence was continued throughout the show - even while not speaking all stayed in character and added to the scene, whether that involved looking cartoonishly astonished when one character steps out of a disguise or chuckling together while watching two awkward lovers talk.
Though all the actors displayed this thorough grasp of their craft, there were several who truly stood out. Proteus, played by Scott Burrows, was hilarious, using his excellent control of his voice both to portray emotion and as a stunning doo-wop singer. His connection with his counterpart and friend Valentine, played by Graham Morriss, is palpable, cemented by small touches such as their signature handshake. Sylvia, played by Grace Duah, who is pursued by both friends while her father tries to force her into marriage with the greasy Thurio, played by Carden Warner IV, does a remarkable job of showing the stress she is placed under in one of the truly emotional performances of the show.
The technical aspects of the show were similarly impressive. The set was simple with only three or four set pieces for every scene, but they all came together to create a solid setting. The expert dance routines choreographed by Jane Schwartz, also did an excellent job of placing the play solidly in 1952 as well as providing a chance for the actors to show off their dancing skills. Relevant music also helped situate the play, as well as making scene transitions seamless. Period-appropriate costumes and makeup helped establish the setting and the characters, especially the boy's greased and the girl's curled hair.
The show's one major weakness was its emotions. “Two Gentlemen” relies heavily on long monologues to develop deep emotions and, though these were delivered with energy, much of their depth of emotion was lost in the multitude of jokes. Despite this, West Springfield's latest production is a side-splitting comedic masterpiece, which manages to make Shakespeare comprehensible and comical.