RICHMOND, Va. – The name Shakespeare may strike fear into the hearts of many college students. It might even compel them to run away screaming. Well, fear not fellow students. This is one play that’s not only easy to understand, it’s actually funny.
Accomplished guest artist B.T. McNicholl directs Theatre VCU’s latest production, Ken Ludwig’s “Shakespeare in Hollywood.”
“Shakespeare in Hollywood” is the tale of the Shakespearian characters Oberon (Chris Evans) and Puck (Monica Dionysiou) becoming lost in the glitz and glamour of 1930s Hollywood amid Max Reinhardt’s (Cory Holovach) production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Theatre VCU presents Ken Ludwig’s “Shakespeare in Hollywood”
Raymond Hodges Theatre in the W.E. Singleton Center for the
Performing Arts
Nov. 10-12, 16-19 at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 and 20 at 2:30 p.m.
High school matinee dates available. For more information call 828-2695
“It’s a meeting of two unreal worlds, each believing they are on their own little planet – whether it’s Hollywood or the woods outside Athens,” McNicholl said. “All the characters have a heightened sense of self.”
In 2002 McNicholl won Australia’s top theater award for directing “Cabaret.” He has been associated with directors James Lapine, Rob Marshall, Jerry Zaks and Sam Mendes on seven Broadway productions, including “The Civil War,” “Passion,” and “A Funny Thing. . .” with Nathan Lane and Whoopi Goldberg.
For this production, McNicholl said he simply wants the audience to have a great time. “It’s really meant to be a joy machine,” he said.
A recently written comedy in a style from a bygone era, the play marries low comedy and Shakespeare.
“It’s seemingly a confection – very light and airy. This is very hard to achieve,” McNicholl said. “But if it doesn’t look easy, it’s no fun. Desperation isn’t sexy.”
McNicholl has developed a fondness for each character. He says all of the actors brought something to the rehearsal process and made their characters come to life. He