The Tempest swirls around Prospero/a (Olympia Dukakis). (photo: Kevin Sprague)

by Gail Burns and Roseann Cane

Gail Burns: More and more people I talk to tell me that “The Tempest” is their favorite Shakespearean play, and I have to say that it has become mine too. This may be a process of aging, or it may be that this is just the perfect Shakepeare play for a modern audience. It combines everything we love about the Bard in just the right measure – family drama, clowns, power struggles, fairies, young lovers. Everything is proportionate and, as they say about the weather, if you don’t like it, wait a few minutes and it will change.

Roseann Cane: This season Shakespeare & Company is presenting two Shakespearean plays that center on powerful, mature, complex characters: “King Lear,” which we both loved, and now “The Tempest.” Director Tony Simotes has set the play in an “island somewhere in the Mediterranean, circa 1939,” and he has cast renowned actress Olympia Dukakis as Prospero, or Prospera, in this case.

Although Prospero has been feminized before—most recently, by Helen Mirren in the 2010 film adaptation—this was my first meeting with Prospera. For the sake of clarity (at least my own!), I’ll refer to the character as Shakespeare named him/her, Prospero, in our discussion.

Gail: I too prefer Prospero to refer to the character, but I am fascinated by the gender switch, which has also been done on the big time stage by Vanessa Redgrave and Blair Brown and undoubtedly many, many times in less well promoted productions.

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.

(l to r) Josh Aaron McCabe, Kate Abbruzzese and Jason Asprey in Parasite Drag at Shakespeare & Company. (photo: Kevin Sprague)

by Gail Burns and Roseann Cane

Parasite Drag runs from June 20–September 2 at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre in Lenox, MA

Roseann Cane: Gail, when you invited me to collaborate with you, my biggest concern was potential conflicts of interest. I realize now what is really difficult for me: reviewing a play that I just didn’t like. Having been on the receiving end myself, I’m more than uncomfortable.

But I have to say it: I was very disappointed in “Parasite Drag.”

Gail Burns: And I believe we may be in the minority disliking this show. Friends and colleagues have been truly moved by the piece and the standing ovation at the press opening was genuine and heartfelt. But for you and me, while we liked all of the actors, Mark Roberts script and Stephen Rothman’s direction rang false.

Roseann: I had high hopes for this production, and with good reason, I think. Shakespeare & Company has consistently presented some of the finest theater I’ve seen in the Berkshires…or anywhere, for that matter. Rothman is new to the company, but has a powerful resume with credits including his work as founder and artistic leader of the revitalized Pasadena Playhouse.

The four-member cast includes three mega-talented company members whose performances have never failed to delight me (and one member I’d never seen before; more about her later).

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.