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Life's a Dream by UCSD Theatre and Dance 
Locked in a small cage in a dark, remote tower since birth, the imprisoned man can do nothing but wonder at his miserable existence and grow angry at those who beset him with such unimaginable misery. But one day he awakes to find himself the crown prince of Poland. He is told that his father, the still living king, locked him away in response to negative astrological omens that predicted the baby would bring doom to the king and the kingdom. Now the king was giving him a chance to rise above the stars and be a good and kind ruler of Poland. If he fails, they will stick him back in the dungeon and convince him that everything that happened outside of his cell was merely a dream.
With touches of humor, tragedy, and romance, Barca's timeless, entertaining tale has only a few really dull spots. Although it may have had several more dull spots were it not that Director Suzanne Agins deftly trimmed the story quite a bit for the stage. She also added much to the humor with some modern day references including the ensemble breaking into a chorus of Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream). For lovers of poetry and eloquence, the script is dripping with it to the point of excess. So much so that in the beginning even one of the characters pokes fun at their penchant for using colorful, exaggerated descriptions when a couple simple words would have nicely sufficed. As usual the MFA students in UCSD's Theatre Department offered up a number of excellent actors led by Erik Johnson's terrific dramatic performance as the caged prince, Segismundo. Daoud Heidami provides the majority of the laughs as Clarin, a guy whose keen concern for self-preservation seems somehow to keep landing him in dangerous situations. Michael Keyloun makes for a stately king who often seems morose over the decisions he has made and the life that has been handed him by the stars, but who also has a quick and surprising temper when provoked. Jennifer Smith-DeCastroverde does some amusing swooning when hit upon by her wooing cousin, Astolfo (David McMahon). Makela Spielman does a fine job as the cross-dressing noble woman bent on revenge, confusing her long-lost father Clotaldo (John Staley) who isn't sure whether he had a son or a daughter. Visually the show is absolutely magnificent. The real royalty of Poland could have only hoped to don the fine costuming designed by Rebecca Lustig (Twelfth Night). Every outfit was aesthetically compelling: the knight's armor, the women's gowns, the prince's rags, the prince's ridiculous but amusing feathered armor, and the king's robes with the extensive train being her crowning achievement. Scenic Designer Patrick Larsen (Twelfth Night, Plentitude) created a dream-like set that worked for both the dungeon and the castle, his suspended cage being the highlight. Shaoann Yo's (Bash) lighting was superb, and key to the transformation of the palace into the dungeon (aided also by writing in chalk on the stage indicating whether we were in the tower or the palace). Rob Hopper ~ Cast ~
Rosaura: Makela Spielman Clarin: Daoud Heidami Segismundo: Erik Johnson Clotaldo: John Staley Astolfo: David McMahon Estrella: Jennifer Smith-DeCastroverde Basilio: Michael Keyloun Ensemble: Casey Hood A Kanjanakaset Seanacchie McCue Mike Ratterman Director: Suzanne Agins Scenic Designer: Patrick Larsen Costume Designer: Rebecca Lustig Lighting Designer: Shaoann Yo Dramaturg: Amy Cook Sound Designer/Composer: Jonathan Sanborn |
