The ides of March came and went without incident, but it’s time to lock up your daughters and batten down the hatches—Rude Guerrilla, the bad boy of OC theatre, is back with a vengeance, reincarnated as the Monkey Wrench Collective. They’re staging “The Revenger’s Tragedy” in a temporary location through April 11, before they open their own downtown Fullerton space next month.
The stage writhes with twisted, unsavory characters in director Dave Barton’s stylish update of the 400-year-old Jacobean dark comedy by Thomas Middleton. This tale of murder, lust and blind ambition is Shakespearean in scope (Middleton collaborated with The Bard on “Timon of Athens” and “A Yorkshire Tragedy”); think “Titus Andronicus” played tongue-in-cheek and you’ll have a rough idea.
Taking top honors in the 20-member ensemble cast are Mark Coyan as Vindici, bent on avenging the death of his beloved at the hands of a lecherous duke; and Brenda Kenworthy in drag as Lussurioso, the duke’s son, who engages a disguised Vindici to pimp out his virtuous sister. Susan E. Taylor (as a promiscuous duchess), Karen Harris (as Vindici’s unwholesome mother), Sean Engard, Jami McCoy, Alexander Price, Christopher Basile and others add to the gallows humor under Barton’s fine-tuned direction. 714-525-1400; Ice House, 112 E. Walnut, Fullerton, across from the train station.
If your taste in theatre runs to decidedly tamer fare, sans bare-bottomed actors and corpses falling at your feet, you may want to check out the offerings at Mysterium and Huntington Beach Playhouse. HBP performs Ken Ludwig’s “Leading Ladies” through April 11, a comedy that involves a pair of poverty-stricken Shakespearean actors—is there any other kind?—unexpectedly forced into a game of cross-dressing in the name of love and money. Directed by Gregory Cohen. 714-375-0696; HB Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach.
Mysterium stages Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” surely one of the funniest plays ever written, March 26-May 1. This farcical romantic comedy, which dates to 1895, revolves around mistaken identity, and a young man who truth to tell began life as a foundling in a handbag. (Mark Ravenhill’s adaptation, “Handbag,” lacking much of Wilde’s trenchant wit, was produced at Rude Guerilla a few seasons back). Directed by Marla Ladd. 714-602-7975; 3122 E. Chapman Ave., Orange.
More from Jordan:
Donald Freed reveals agenda for ‘Einstein Plan’ at LA Theatre Center
OC stages tweak the classics -- Ibsen, Chekhov, Twain
Flying solo: Ed Asner as FDR, Herbert Siguenza as Picasso
Follow me on twitter.
Like a heads up when I post a new article? Just click where it says "Subscribe" at the top. (Not getting the emails? Keep in mind I post about 2-3 times a week). You can also share this article with your facebook/myspace/twitter friends by clicking—here’s where it gets tricky—“Share This” below.
Comments