The Winter’s Tale is an unusual story, with two acts so different in tone that the play can be difficult to produce. Fortunately, Invictus succeeds. Under Charles Askenaizer’s direction, Winter’s Tale is tightly paced and well-acted, with gorgeous music from composer and sound designer Petter Wahlbäck. Actors Fred A. Wellisch, Carolyn Waldee, Sydney René Cox and Megan Erin Lai do double duty here, playing live music throughout the play while also rounding out the ensemble.
Standout performances include Michael Stejskal’s tortured Leontes, whose obsession with the idea that his wife, Hermione (Andrea Uppling), might be unfaithful destroys his family, Kim Pereira’s goodhearted Camillo and Raul Alonso’s conflicted Polixenes. As Leontes spirals into baseless suspicion, Camillo and Polixenes are forced to flee while a pregnant Hermione faces the wrath of her husband. Even the scathing words of Hermione’s confidante, Paulina (Amber Dow) cannot save Leontes from himself.
The second act provides needed levity after the tragic ending of the first. When the Shepherd (company member Chuck Munro) and the Clown (Kyle Quinlivan, with excellent comic timing) find Perdita, Hermione and Leontes’ lost child, the stage is set for a pastoral comedy. Sam Nachison is delightful as the silver-tongued Autolycus, whose thieving exploits are impressively staged. The sheep-shearing scene showcases the dancing skills of Jennifer Agather’s Perdita, who has fallen for Polixenes’ son, Florizel (Robert Hunter Bry), and the cast’s musical charms.
The Winter’s Tale is concerned with how time heals even the deepest of wounds. Askenaizer’s production alludes to this theme through a circular, clock-like set design (Kevin M. Rolfs), dynamic lighting (Trey Brazeal) and props (Randy Rozler) and costumes (Jessie Gowens) that reference different eras. The hourglass carried by Time (George Dougherty) feels a little on the nose when you can already hear a clock ticking in the background but otherwise, the choices work.
The play’s strange, possibly magical ending is going to be divisive regardless of how productions choose to stage it but the first act contains some of Shakespeare’s most effective, timely verse. The truth of a woman’s testimony against the word of her husband, the conspiracy-fueled delusions that should be familiar to anyone who has gone on X/Twitter in recent years, the question of whether or not redemption is possible when someone has hurt the people closest to them—these are all ideas worthy of pondering in the present day. Also, a nobleman exits, pursued by a Bear, so what more do you need?
As winter’s chill wears off, consider seeing a play that takes its audiences on a journey from winter to spring, and from sorrow to renewal.
The Winter’s Tale continues through April 20 at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 West Irving Park Road. Tickets are $25-38. Running time is approximately three hours with one 15-minute intermission. Get your tickets here.
For more information on this and other productions, see theatreinchicago.com.
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