Shakespeare is getting a real workout lately, it being the 400th anniversary of his death. Having your work in the public domain ensures immortality, but also, Shakespeare is really really good. Gamm is celebrating with a production of The Winter’s Tale.
A royal family is ripped apart when crazed King Leontes of Sicilia imprisons his wife on unfounded suspicions of infidelity, exiles his newborn daughter, then tries to murder his life-long friend. Sixteen years pass before he can confront the true consequences of his brutal actions. But can love and time mend the devastating effects of blinding jealousy and regret?
Channing Gray of the ProJo called it a “solid production”
. . . with spirited direction from Fred Sullivan Jr., who just couldn’t help but join the cast as the local rogue Autolycus, who has a knack for relieving folks of their possessions.
As always, Sullivan, sporting white mutton chops, is a larger-than-life figure, who provides much of the humor to this play of lost heirs and mistaken identities.
Now through May 29, Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket, (directions)