THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230051
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: Mal Vincent
LENGTH: 60 lines
PUTTING THE BARB to the bard, Generic Theater's new literate spoof proves that there can be something zany in the state of Shakespeare.
``Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)'' is a playful but often bewildering bit of show-offing by Canadian playwright Ann-Marie MacDonald. As directed by Bob Nelson, one of the most prolific and imaginative directors on the local theatrical scene, it is never less than challenging - and, upon occasion, hilarious.
The funny occasions are between endless ``references'' that prove the playwright is never less than literate - or, at least, capable of meticulous research.
She shows us a master's degree candidate named Constance Ledbelly who is described by her prof as ``ditzy.'' As likably played by Lesa Azimi, she is energetic and overwrought about her Shakespearean interpretations. Proud of the fact that she once won a prize in Dead Languages, she has undertaken to prove that Shakespeare's heroines weren't just empty-headed misses who got themselves killed. Using ``Othello'' and ``Romeo and Juliet'' as her sources, she points out that the tragedies were no more than ``the result of misfired practical jokes.''
Constance is so enmeshed in the past that she has made a quill pen from the feather of her dead parakeet.
Falling through a waste can into the world of Shakespeare (more than a little like ``Alice in Wonderland''), she meets with an Amazon-like Desdemona, played by Lori Blackmon in a warrior outfit. Blackmon brings just the right comedic slant to suggest that this is a Desdemona who is not going to take any guff from a mere man.
The four actors in supporting roles are asked to play multiple roles each. Brad Breckenridge is best as a bad-tempered Tybalt - always itching for a fight. He also plays Juliet's nurse. Bob Scott has the distinction of being one of the few actors in theater history to play both Romeo and Iago on the same night. And Carly Van Orman brings a mischievous bent to Juliet.
In this version, the usual sexual confusion of Shakespeare takes on new meaning. Mistaking Constance for a Greek boy, Romeo abandons Juliet for Constance, creating a unique triangle. Among the best ploys is a wisecracking ghost, straight out of vaudeville.
The script, though, takes on more than can easily be digested when it decides to quote from numerous other Shakespearean plays and even, quite wittily, to use its own style of blank verse. It's probably more suited to Shakespeare academics than to a general play-going audience, but, after all, isn't this what the Generic Theater is all about? Something new and adventurous every time out. Having skewered Tennessee Williams earlier, the Bard's time was bound to come. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
[Box]
THEATER REVIEW
What: ``Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)''
When: Tonight, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.,
through June 9
Tickets: $10 Friday and Saturday, $8 on Thursdays and Sunday
Call: 441-2160. by CNB