Review: Young Company's ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL Believes in the Value of Youthful Talent and Virtue

What a privilege to watch Young Company produce an all feminine All's Well That Ends Well. On Sunday night at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, Shakespeare's coming of age romance unfolded under the direction of Marcella Kearns, who produced an amazing performance by these future thespians. Young Company's Director John Maclay acknowledged the beauty of the play, asking the audience to "lean in and listen to the Bard's beautiful and evocative language."

Sunday night's audience then watched a young man Bertram transform from a rebellious youth who lost his father, to a repentant man asking for Helena's love after he turned his wife from his life. Mary Elsa Henrichs and Alison Pogorelc put the young couple front and center--and at the final scene the audience definitely believes Bertram's love for Helena matured, and he discovers her true character and virtue despite her lower class birth. Perhaps due to Pogorelc's confident and tender portrayal of Helena, a women on a mission to win what was given to her, even if dismissed by a grieving son.

The Countess stands between the two youths, her son and new daughter-in-law--loving them both while struggling to understand her son's apparent dishonorable behavior. Isabelle Abbott carries this important role with regal affection. The character requires imbuing a Young Company actor with emotions unrealized for her actual age.

Maddie Penzkover recreates the uncouth Parolles, a soldier and supposed cohort of Bertram. She lights up the stage with the rabble rouser in the play, a character who becomes ensnared in his own undoing. Another Maddy, Maddy Folstein, gives a sophisticated portrayal of Lavatch and the clown, while Zoey Knox suits up for a fine King of France. The entire cast is noteworthy, and after the first ten minutes, the audience leans in to Shakespeare's intriguing story, forgetting these are all young women, whether soldiers or kings.

Brandon Kirkham's simple, three-story staircase serves the company well, while pale colored costumes designed by Lyndsey Kuhlmann complement the set perfectly and define "the women" in the play easily from the "men." Great stories need only the bare minimum to enhance the action.

As the audience watches the play, perhaps they might remember Shakespeare's own impetuous youth where he married an older woman, quickly fathered four children, and then immediately left for London. While very little can be proved fact about Shakespeare's life, perhaps his All's Well That Ends Well could be a wishful reconstruction of impulsive and rebellious youth. The playwright perhaps had experienced some of these emotions in his own life, and wrote them into his play. Bertram suffered great disappointment and family loss, while Helena's determination to win Bertram's love more than her right to a higher social status shines through. Love ends well under Kearns adroit and careful direction.

In this supposedly "problematic play" historians say, Shakespeare uncovers a difficult maturing process for heirs bound by duty and honor, whatever their personal dreams might be. This superb Young Company cast, a division of the First Stage Theater Academy, carries this voice with professional ability and demonstrates their award-winning flair for Shakespeare. With one weekend remaining to attend the performances, celebrate the season and Young Company, their hard work and a cast overflowing with talent in All's Well That Ends Well. A production offering hope to teenagers, and those who experience the trauma of a youthful past, with hope that despite youth's, or any of life's mistakes, a resplendent future can still be destined.

First Stage Young Company presents William Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well at the Milwaukee Youth Art Center in Goodman Main Stage Hall through December 20. For performance schedule and tickets, please call: 414.267.2961 or www.firststage.org.

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