Humor & Heart Present in Visually Stunning Pericles

Pericles at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Directed by David H. Bell. Runtime 2 hours & 35 Minutes with one intermission.

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre continues the 2014-2015 season with a strong production of Shakespeare’s rarely produced Pericles. Ben Carlson returns to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Hamlet, Macbeth, School for Lies) as the titular monarch in a production filled with humor, empathy and some of the finest design I’ve seen in 2014.

Pericles, though wildly popular during Shakespeare’s time is produced far less by today’s standards. Considered the first of the Bard’s plays to be part of the romantic period, Pericles tells the story of the Prince of Tyre through his travels to numerous lands which brings him to find love, have it ripped away and ultimately reunited.

Ben Carlson, a company member of the renowned Stratford Festival, is excellent in the title role. Covering the multi-year spectrum of the play, Mr. Carlson ages gracefully before our eyes. There is a great confidence and humility to his Pericles that is so genuine, his grief in the later stages of the play is so deeply rooted we wish to be the ones to bring him healing. He is in his finest form when reunited with his daughter Marina (subtle, graceful Cristina Panfilio) which parallels the opposite side of the spectrum from CST’s earlier production of Lear this year.

Cristina Panfilio’s Marina is subtle and graceful. She exudes innocence and charms us just as she does Sean Fortunato’s Lysimachus. The two eventual lover’s first meeting under unwelcome circumstances in a brothel is one of the most tender, loving moments the production offers.

Comedy is in abundance here led by CST regulars Kevin Gudahl as the jolly king Simonides and Ross Lehman doubling as Cerimon/Pander. Mr. Lehman nails every laugh line and proves again why he is one of the most sought after comedic actors in town. Orah Jones also brings out the raunchy side of the Bard in abundance as the mistress Bawd.

Where Mr. Bell’s Pericles really shines is through the perfect medium of all the design elements. James Savage’s sound design and Henry Marsh’ original compositions are the definition of why the American theatre wing needs to continue to honor sound designers. The music is as poetic and informed as any soliloquy the Prince speaks. Jesse Klug’s jewel toned lighting design mixed with Aaron Rhyne’s projections keep the sea with us at all times. Scott Davis’ set design is grand in scale and provides an eager backdrop for perfect design harmony.

The theatrical medium is a piece of high art and this particular production reinforces that. Beautiful design esthetic, nuanced performances, intense fights and a lavish musical party sequence make this rarely seen Pericles a show not to be missed.

Highly Recommended

Pericles runs through Jan 18th. Performances are Tuesdays-Sundays. www.chicagoshakes.com