As I was talking about how much I enjoyed Theatre Ventoux's production of King Lear, someone asked if it was a period piece or set in the present day. The answer is both and neither. True to the original language, the production is laced with "Art thous" and other expected Shakespearean what have yous. The dress is of the present-day variety, but not distractingly so. The actors' basic white dress shirts and neckties mirror the timelessness of Shakespeare's themes (I concede that Shakespeare's themes are even more timeless than neckties, but you get the idea). The deep sorrows and the arguments between family and friends are phenomena that everyone has experienced at some time, in some capacity.

The play starts as The Boy (Joshua Taber) requests, "Tell me a story." The story at hand begins with King Lear (powerfully and emotionally played by Tom Janecek) giving out land to his three daughters: Goneril (the eldest, smirkily played by Lisa Taber), Regan (the middle-child, a femme fatal-ish Michelle Bonanno), and Cordelia (a youthfully innocent Melissa Geston). The eldest two are married to Albany (Michael Roberston) and Cornwall (Ricci Mazzuca), while the young Cordelia has yet to choose from her two suitors, Edmond and Edgar (two of the most intriguing characters in the play, I thought, as played by Evan Ericsen and Steve Torres, respectively), sons of Gloucester (a heartbreakingly betrayed Hal H. Bolen, II). The eldest daughter Gonderil is assisted by her servant Oswald. Though Oswald is traditionally a man's role, Carolyn Robertson offers an Oswald whose trustworthy guise sinisterly fades into ruthless dedication. I think what I like most about this play was the way Theatre Ventoux amplified the fact that some of the most dangerous people in the play are those who seemed to be just part of the background in the beginning. That said, King Lear's problems don't get lost in the shuffle. The ensemble of characters spends much of the play choosing sides, back stabbing, et cetera in an escapade in which, just as you think you have a handle on who everyone is and what all their motivations and loyalties are, they start dying off... Fortunately, the dark entanglement is balanced by a wise Fool (Jessica Reedy). Part Harpo Marx, part philosophy professor, Reedy offers a Fool that comforts and motivates both the King and the audience itself.

Theatre Ventoux has honed a polished artistic style characterized by entrancing lighting, well-chosen mood music, and fantastic acting. Director Greg Taber has helped Theatre Ventoux remain true to this style throughout King Lear. "I cannot be who I was then," the song played at the beginning of the play professed. This is obviously true for the characters in the play, but I couldn't help feeling as though, after seeing this show, I wasn't quite the same as I was then (before the show, that is), too - in a very good way. Be sure to experience Theatre Ventoux's King Lear at the California Arts Academy/Severance Building (in the Tower District - 1401 N Wishon, at Floradora) on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm through April 12, and on Sunday, April 6 at 2pm. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for students and seniors.

~ Jessi Hafer