A review of Denver's Celebrationworks "Shakespeare's Brother"

Photo: Travis Weiss and Chris Russell, by Sarah B. Roshan

I was fortunate to be able to be at the premiere of “Shakespeare’s Brother”, the inaugural show for Celebrationworks and the first opening ever for this play by Carol Roper! This was a charismatic and delightful show, with a well-rounded cast who were eager to please. The play begins with Beth Davis as “Mary Shakespeare” trying to convince “Thomas Cookworthy”, played by Jay Jakowsky to give her husband a break. Jay Jakowsky has a strong presence on stage the moment he begins, and we realize soon that the burden of providing for the family will fall to the Shakespeare sons, “Gilbert” and “Will”.

Photo: Deb Flomberg and Chris Russell, by Sarah B. Roshan

Chris Russell playing “Will Shakespeare” was a charming dreamer and he gave the clean and crisp performance of a true professional actor. He and his younger brother “Gilbert” played by Travis Weiss were a winning combination, playing off of each other with a well-rehearsed dynamic and an allure that can’t be taught. Travis Weiss played the stern, responsible, concerned role of his brother very well, and his sly smiles lit up the stage. When “Anne Hathaway” played by Catherine Pilafas enters, your eye is immediately drawn to her due to her powerful entrance. Catherine plays her with wisdom, and her natural inner strength makes her believable as the older woman in the relationship. The chemistry between “Anne” and “Will” makes them adorable, but the, ahem “stage fights” between “Anne” and “Gil” are truly hilarious for they do not hold back.

Photo: Chris Russell, Deb Flomberg, Travis Weiss by Sarah 

As “Will” and “Gil” set sail on the open sea three pirates, who are perfectly placed and great garnishes to the scene, confront them. But “Othello” – hello! Where did they find this manly combination of Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom? Sam Gilstrap plays this mixture of pirate and professor to the boys “Will” and “Gil” excellently, a cool experienced mentor of sorts.

I won’t give the rest of the plot away, but there are some excellent surprises, particularly from Allison Smith who plays “Harlot #2” and perhaps someone else? Be sure to spot her! Deb Flomberg, our Denver Theatre Examiner, plays “Fortune Telling Harlot” with comedic skill and she casts a wink at the audience telling “Will Shakespeare” of his mighty future. The stage fights are well done, the actors all seem very comfortable and natural with their bodies. Chris Russell plays “Will” with a new maturity at the end, and both he and Travis Weiss as “Gil” demonstrate a transformation from boys to men. Especially when they come together in the end, as their playful brotherly banter hits an all time high.