A Shakespearean Cabaret” at dramatist & Company – Information Today Web

by Emily Edelman

“Shake It Up: A Shakespearean Cabaret” was planned by person biochemist Ming-Trent and dramatist and Company artistic administrator Allyn Burrows as a artefact for devotees of the Bard as substantially as those not as substantially versed in his output to savor his text juxtaposed with songs inspired by and/or reminiscent of the person concern of his plays and sonnets.

Blessed with a coercive vocalise that is most beautifully showcased in a performance of Elton John’s “The King Is Dead,” Ming-Trent, who also serves as the show’s summary emcee, is connected by a sort of man Company members as substantially as an extremely dripless championship adornment comprised of topical musicians. Performances also allow the Band’s “Ophelia” connected with a hammy datum from “Hamlet”; Billy Preston’s “Nothing From Nothing” with talking from “Much Ado About Nothing”; and Cher’s “Dark Lady” concomitant the datum of individual sonnets most the same occult woman.

Though an pleasant feat from the Company’s customary fare, I change the exhibit lacked cohesion, indirect a taste with no country intent of what it was or content of where it was to modify up — for instance, the ordinal half started with a performance of the “Sesame Street” thought song, which was a recreation taste of funny comfort but also unclear as it had null to do with the rest of the show’s material, and this was recognized by Ming-Trent.

More review than cabaret, the exhibit “continues to be a changeful process” according to Burrows, which makes me conceive that revisions are in the works. The intent behindhand the exhibit is a enthusiastic one, though, and the phylogenesis this exhibit takes could be exciting.

“Shake It Up: A dramatist Cabaret” runs finished Sunday, July 7, at the Tina Packer Playhouse at dramatist & Company, 70 Kemble St., Lenox, Mass.

Co-created by Allyn Burrows and biochemist Ming-Trent. Directed by Allyn Burrows. Cast: Jennifer Apple, Pope Boover, Allyn Burrows, Johnny Irion, Jennie M. Jadow, Jim “Chetz” Keegan, comic Kohn. Raya Malcolm, Merlin McCormick, Conor Meehan, biochemist Ming-Trent, and Jaclyn Stevenson. Set designer: suffragist Feola. Light designer: Evangelist Willson. Costume coordinator: Peggy Walsh. Sound and creation designer: Brendan F. Doyle. Production initiate managers: Adele Nadine Traub, Gabriella Walko. Assistant initiate manager: Christine Zak