Laughter Reigns Supreme in Lysistrata
Image Credit: Playhouse 615
Director Diane Bearden has created comedic gold in Playhouse 615’s production of Lysistrata. From the charismatic use of a classic Greek chorus to women wielding frying pans and spatulas in order to take over the treasury, if you are in need of a good laugh, this is the production for you! Robert M. Coles’ adaptation is well done, tastefully honoring Aristophanes’ original content while adding a modern flare that allows audiences to connect in new ways to a timeless story. This version brought to us a relatable Lampito (Crystal Liles) with a Southern drawl in ancient Greece. We were also gifted with the approachable monologues of Reconciliation (commandingly portrayed by Jordan Ivie) at the beginning, middle, and end of this play to help us tie together all the weavings of each character.
“Beneath the jokes and the winks and the flailing attempts at seduction, you’ll find a question as old as war itself. Why must we destroy when we can create? Why conquer when we can share?”
The powerful women of Athens (and Sparta too!) Back row from left to right: Gwendolyn Clinton (Calliope), Hannah Weinman (Thallo), Jordan Ivie (Reconciliation), Abby Waddoups (Lysistrata), Julia White (Myrrhine), Crystal Liles (Lampito). Front left: Jannesa Kaylor (Calonice). Front right: Kelby Horne (Ismenia).
Photo Credit: James David West
Abby Waddoup in the title role held steady in her captivating quest despite the hilarity that constantly surrounded her. Waddoup caused us to pause our laughter and lean in from time to time as she laid out what was then, and is still today, so often at steak. Waddoup’s commanding Lysistrata was complimented by Daniel Vincent’s Magistrate as their intense feud began to also reveal a secret past.
“We bear the weight of their ambition. We bury the dead. We sooth the children who cry for fathers they may never see again. For years, we have waited. We’ve hoped they would see reason, that they would choose love over war, home over conquest. But, they haven’t, and they won’t.”
Hands down, the standout of the night for me was Wanderson Rezende’s brilliant portrayal of the Spartan Delegate. He had the audience in an absolute uproar as he crocheted a red blanket round a campfire of manly men. Rezende’s consistent physicality in his acting added to his comedic genius. He shows a man going from stubbornly “strong” to devastatingly desperate in the best ways possible. I noticed so many nuanced acting choices throughout his entire performance that made for a truly entertaining evening. I would love to see him take on a role in The Play that Goes Wrong as it is rare to find an actor so gloriously uninhibited these days.
One of the funniest scenes came when the news about what was happening in Athens around the surrounding areas. Rezende along with this production’s remaining ensemble of men (Connor Olen as Acestes, Rich Moses as Old Man, Thomas Wehby as Cinesias) brilliantly took on various roles as the local town gossips. Their chattering created the ultimate game of telephone as each detail of truth became more and more lost in translation. It was pure joy to witness the chaos unfold. It was also endearing to see each of the men slowly realize the value and wisdom of their wives as they were confronted with their own folly. There honestly was no weak link in this cast. Other highlights I would be amiss not to mention include Hannah Weinman’s Thallo who had the audience in stitches as she stuffed her face with olives; Kelby Horne who breathed authenticity into her sultry Ismenia; and Julia White’s Myrrhine who was a quietly powerful presence.
Mick Grayson’s lighting design really assisted in telling the story, giving viewers a clear direction to focus as we moved about locations in each scene in Playhouse 615’s blackbox theater space. I’m not sure who came up with the playlist for this show, but I was absolutely loving it! In fact, they provided a QR code in the program so that people could access it on Spotify (love that!) and I may have listened to it again on my drive home.
“Take this lesson with you as you step from ancient Athens into your own world. If fools can find peace through with and compassion, why not us today, surrounded by all our modern wars of words and walls? Let’s imagine a future where hearts soften before blades sharpen, where no child need weep from loss unseen, and where differences become dances rather than duels.”
As with all good comedies, there must be at least a hint at intelligent drama. This production certainly does not lack in that department. From the wise words of Reconciliation’s narrations to the unwavering proclamations of Lysistrata throughout, it is made clear that women are tired of picking up the pieces in an unjust and patriarchal society that has often not even taken the depth of their existence into consideration. We are challenged by the end to learn from history, examine our own modern-day culture, and decide what truly matters. Leaving the theater, the audience is left with laughter in their hearts in addition to a thought-provoking challenge in their minds.
You can catch Lysistrata now through February 16th. I would recommend this play for older teens and adults due to the mature content. For more information, go to: www.playhouse615.com
Cinesias (played by Thomas Wehby) has reached the brink of his frustration…
Photo Credit: James David West