Review: EQUIVOCATION at STNJ is Fascinating Drama

"Uniformity is the death of drama"

-Equivocation

Equivocation is making its New Jersey Premiere at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) through October 4th. Playwright, Bill Cain has crafted an original and emotive theatrical piece that is completely enthralling. With the creative and meticulous direction of acclaimed actor and director Paul Mullins and a stellar cast, Equivocation is like nothing you've seen before. This is a show with a strikingly broad appeal.

Set at the Globe Theater and other areas of London in 1606, Equivocation is a fictional imagining of the development of one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. Shakespeare, nicknamed Shag, and his "cooperative" troupe receive a royal commission to dramatize the events surrounding the infamous Gunpowder Plot. The Bard and his theatrical colleagues confront questions of integrity as they struggle with the creation of the play, the truth about the Gunpowder Plot, and their personal considerations. Equivocation is laced with conflict, as the ruling class was oppressive and dictatorial. Yet there are humorous moments and clever anecdotes about actors, playwrights and theater. As Shag comments, "Even a tragedy should have something in it to make people laugh."

Equivocation is a fast-moving show that ingeniously incorporates a play within a play. The cast of six delivers stunning performances in each and every scene with perfect pacing. James Michael Reilly masters the role Shakespeare, just as you imagine him, a boldly complex artist. Therese Barbado captures the role of Shakespeare's underappreciated daughter Judith, hardworking, sensible and a true voice of reason. Shakespeare's theater company includes Nate played by Dominic Comperatore, Sharpe played by Matthew Stucky, Richard played by Rob Krakovski and Armin played by Kevin Isola. These four thespians, Comperatore, Stucky, Krakovski and Armin assume multiple roles so deftly that you will believe that Equivocation has a much larger cast. Comperatore as Sir Robert Cecil and Stucky as the King James I are just some of the dynamic characters that round out the production.

The superb Artistic Staff brings Equivocation to life with scenic design by Michael Schweikhardt, costume design by Nikki Delhomme, lighting design by Michael Giannitti, and sound design by Karin Graybash. Alison Cote is the production stage manager. Rick Sordelet is the fight director/illusionist and Paul Rubin is the aerial effects designer.

Equivocation runs for 2 hours and 40 minutes with one intermission. The time literally flies by. Bravo to Artistic Director, Bonnie Monte and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Company for staging this gem of a production during their 25th Anniversary Season.

Performances of Equivocation will continue through Sunday, October 4th at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Tickets start at $32. Student rush tickets for all performances are $15 and are available a half-hour before curtain with a valid student ID. Both individual tickets and subscriptions can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973.408.5600 or by visiting www.shakespearenj.org.

Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia