Shakespeare cools down with “Winter’s Tale”

Sarah Rebell Staff Writer

The most famous stage direction of all of the Bard of Avon’s tragedies, comedies, romances and histories appears in “The Winter’s Tale.” It is a jarringly explicit description: “Exit, pursued by a bear.” Shakespeare Troupe will perform the source of the carnivorous command at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 in the Orchard above Sunset Lake.

The play’s plot is like a hybrid fairy tale. It starts off with a Shakespearean tragic flaw and ends peacefully with the typical reconciliation of a Shakespearean comedy. A king mistakenly thinks his pregnant wife has cheated on him with a visiting king and that her unborn baby is not his. His wife goes into hiding, and their newborn daughter is sent away. The rest of the play deals with the characters coming to terms with this misunderstanding and repairing the damage.

“The play is about the power of forgiveness and redemption,” said Troupe performer Elizabeth Wachtel ’09. The play literally comes full circle—after going through a series of events in the land of Bohemia, the characters end up in the land of Sicilia, where the story started in the first place. This full circle is also reflected in the seasons—the story begins in winter and ends in springtime. “It ends where it started,” said Troupe performer Nate Silver ’10.

Shakespeare Troupe always performs their plays outdoors. Each year the group unanimously decides a new location, which is also how they choose directors, cast and crew members.

Performing outdoors creates challenges because of the unpredictable weather and less-than-ideal acoustics. Still, there are many benefits to outdoor performances. “Theaters have limits,” said Wachtel. “Outdoors, there’s no need to reserve tickets. Anyone can come.”
Director Kate Abbruzzese ’08 described the experience of performing outdoors as evoking “old magic.”

“It’s human magic,” said Troupe performer Poornima Kirby ’08, contrasting “The Winter’s Tale” with some of Shakespeare’s other mythical plays. The magic of “The Winter’s Tale” is largely accounted for by the everyday miracles of life, said Kirby.

“Flowers bloom. People die, but children are born,” she said. Most importantly, forgiveness and hope are possible. But the production is not trying to embellish Shakespeare.

“We don’t take an overly academic approach,” said stage manager Jeanne Allen ’08. “We explore the text by getting up on our feet and speaking the words.” The cast has done research on the play, but even the research has not been particularly academic.

Abbruzzese asked Troupe members to bring in objects and music that had to do with time and seasons, such as bright flowers and songs that have earth-related lyrics. Troupe members also did their own visual, critical and physical research to prepare for the production.

Both Abbruzzese and Allen spoke enthusiastically about their dedicated and creative cast. “From a foundation of love and respect we built this play, but we all understand our roles,” said Allen. Actors often come to design meetings, but they contribute solely as actors, rather than upstaging the designers.

Shakespeare Troupe is also hoping to build relationships beyond their ensemble. “We are hoping to start communication with a school in Poughkeepsie,” said Abbruzzese. “It’s incredibly healing to make art,” she continued. “There’s something life-affirming about it. Any art form is about communication.”

There has been a lot of hype and secrecy about how Shakespeare Troupe will carry out the “pursued by a bear” stage direction, but Abbruzzese gave some hints. “It might be scary; it might be funny,” she said.

“We’re hoping, whatever it be, it might be memorable.” Abbruzzese paused and then continued, “It’s funny: In a play about all this amazing stuff, it’s the bear that gets remembered.”