Review: SHAKESPEARE IN REVUE at Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Company is Intelligent Silliness

Sometimes you can go to something with a preconceived notion and be...pleasantly... surprised. I wasn't sure about Brigit St Brigit's production of SHAKESPEARE IN REVUE opening tonight at the Joslyn Castle. After SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE and SOMETHING ROTTEN, how much Shakespeare can a person take? Even the "Give Us a Rest" song from this work speaks to the frequency of Shakespearean productions being done. "We're fed up with being acted, and we'd like to be subtracted from the repertoire of ev'ry company." How much is enough? Apparently, there is still plenty of room for the Bard in the artistic world because this show is brilliant fun.

Devised by Christopher Luscombe and Malcolm McKee as a series of songs, dances, monologues, and sketches, THE SHAKESPEARE REVUE is not slapstick or simple humor. It is witty. It is clever. It is intelligent silliness, if there is such a thing.

Carried out with no elaborate set (the beauty of the Joslyn Castle's architecture is all it needs) the five actors and the pianist carry out a fun-filled evening of rapidly changing scenes. Eric Salonis, serving as both director and actor, leads an impressively multi-talented cast made up of Delaney Driscoll, Eric Grant-Leanna, John Hatcher, and Laura Leininger-Campbell. They are accompanied by Evelyn Lindgren who also sings at one point. Driscoll, a member of the Actors' Equity Association lends her talent under special contract. Leininger-Campbell is also the author of the play EMINENT DOMAIN which premiered at the Omaha Community Playhouse to much acclaim. There is a wealth of experience and professionalism in this group, which is why it is so good with no need for special flashy props, sets, and costume changes.

The actors, looking sleek and stylish in black tuxes and dresses (thank you, Charles J. B. Willoughby) are a marvel to watch. Their smooth movements about the small space ensure their backs are toward each side of the room no more than a few seconds. The choreography, credit to Lisa Kalantjakos, is constantly morphing and is at least as entertaining as the funny jokes, songs, and shenanigans.

The "Away With Fairies" number is weirdly wonderful. I was captivated by every bit of it. Leininger-Campbell's impression of a director in a denim ball cap giving notes on HAMLET is hilarious, as is the tap number done with baby tap shoes on a stool. There is enthusiastic crowd participation in a ridiculous "French" singalong. Every sketch, every song, every anecdote offers a peek at the works of Shakespeare in a new and comical way.

The music, contributed by Stephen Sondheim, George Stiles, Cole Porter, and more is smart. There is such a wide variety of styles that it is impossible not to enjoy the mix. This is like a box of chocolates where you are sure to find your favorites along with some new delights.

If you want to "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" before you see this show, you may catch even more of the references and jokes. But if you don't, it won't matter. It's a great show on many levels. You just have to answer the question, "To be in the audience or not to be?" --Be.

Photo credit: PeytonPlays Photography