BWW Preview: TALES OF WOO AND WOE Explores Passion in the Words of the Bard

By: Jan. 30, 2015
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Coming February 6th from Drama Dogs: Tales of Woo and Woe is an ambitious examination of love and desire, explored via the language of The Bard. In an inventive work of literary and theatrical collection-and-assembly, playwright Jinny Webber uses phrases and stanzas from 15 of Shakespeare's plays and 8 of his sonnets to simultaneously study moments of classic, enduring theatrical romance and our experience of desire in the modern world. Woo and Woe explores love at first sight; the folly of wooing; vows of love; torment and pain; and the qualities of enduring love.

One does not have to be unduly familiar with the works of B. Shakes to understand the themes explored in Woo and Woe. Though lines are performed out of their original context, the newly created vignettes indicate widely relatable themes. From the first lusty glances of awe and giddiness to the torment of love lost and the grounded satisfaction of love everlasting, Tales of Woo and Woe is a production designed to be both eclectic and artfully honed. Performed in Drama Dogs' physical style, this theatrical collage is presented with emphasis on the connections between the language and the corporeal interpretation of the play's concepts. The intention is moving poetry.

Personally, I'm intrigued by this production because I get a kick out of literary recontextualisation. Woo and Woe is a montage of work that conveys a specific aspect of the Shakespearian canon in a concise and attractive manner. Drama Dogs' production combines physicality with an intelligently rendered conceptualization of the journey of passion--not one to be missed!

Featuring E. Bonnie Lewis, Ken Gilbert, George Coe, Mindy Turano, Hylla Sue Fischer, Jennifer Marco, Mack Urbanowicz, and Josh Jenkins. Directed by Ken Gilbert and E. Bonnie Lewis.

http://www.dramadogs.org.

DramaDogs, a Theater Company presents:

Tales of Woo and Woe - World Premiere

Devised by: Jinny Webber from the works of Shakespeare
Directed by: E. Bonnie Lewis & Ken Gilbert

February 6 - 14, 2015
Friday & Saturday @ 8 pm, Sunday matinee @ 2 pm
Thursday, Friday & Saturday @ 8pm; Sunday @ 2 pm

TICKETS
www.centerstagetheater.org

SPECIAL: "Pay What You Can" performances on Feb. 8 and 14 (at 2pm). These tickets will only be sold at the door or by phone (no online sales). Suggested min. donation $8. Cash/check.



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