Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is particularly adept at making lemonade. Many of us were looking to the year 2020 as an opportunity for clarity–20/20 vision and a lot of murky situations being made clear. In December 2019, COVID-19 was beginning to spool up and had a different idea of how the year would go. While many theatres had to postpone or cancel their calendars, Shakespeare Theatre did a pirouette, rather than a pivot. They created their Backyard Theatre productions that ushered in (see what I did there) a reimagining of post-C-19 live performance that gives hope for the future!
Sunday, August 23 was a sultry summer day. Behind the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey offices in Florham Park, I found myself walking a well-marked path to the back of the building. There are a series of perfectly drawn circles that form “pods” for up to 4 people. While in the pod, we are free to remove masks to eat or drink, while being encouraged to wear them otherwise. Each pod is greater than six feet from another and what a great day to watch some of our favorite Main Stage and Next Stage actors. This year’s cast for "Crazy Love–Verily Madly Thine," brilliantly compiled and directed by AC Horton, included in order of appearance – Skye Pagon, Isaac Hickox Young, Billie Wyatt, Christian Frost, Ellie Gossage, Katja Yacker, Jeffrey Marc Alkins and Dino Curia.
This beautiful and winsome cast, which treated us to moveable feast of art and artists, made a great sacrifice this Summer–like other professionals, they agreed to live as a family in a bubble. A bit more like Jules Verne than Shakespeare, to be sure, this means they were performing as we love to see people–sans masks. Those who enjoyed Shakespeare Theatre’s “Three Musketeers” are already familiar with the delightful orchestral rendering of 20th century popular music and "Verily Madly Thine" begins with a symphonic arrangement of Queen’s “Somebody to Love”–a perfect set up for where we were headed. Adding spice throughout between selections, we were treated to similar arrangements of “Pretty Woman” and “Sweet Child of Mine” and a quote from “O Mio Babbino Caro,” from Giacomo Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi," among others. 'If music be the food of love, play on!'
It is refreshing to see groups like Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, which recognizes the importance of the life of the mind and see opportunities where others see roadblocks. Thank you for your "Crazy Love" and the brilliance of the reminder that just like love, theatre is eternal.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s next events are Kate Baldwin’s "A Kind of September concert" and "Shaw! Shaw! Shaw!"–a compendium of delightful one-acts by a genius observer of the human condition. Get your tickets Now! Now! Now! At www.ShakespeareNJ.org.