In July, Plethos Productions will return to the works of Shakespeare, seen in a new light in the Now That’s What I Call Shakespeare Festival. This lineup of one act plays, from local directors and starring local performers, encompasses both iconic Shakespeare scenes and original short pieces inspired by his works. Running July 18 to 27 at Heirloom East Bay, the show explores comedy, tragedy and poetic absurdity.
Danny Georgiev, an actor, stage manager and teacher based out of Castro Valley, directs one of the creative reimaginings: a short play based off the prompt “Shakespeare in the Multiverse.”
Georgiev shares, “Our story is based off of Julius Caesar and explores what might have happened if the assassination of Caesar had failed. It starts off light-hearted and comedic, but quickly becomes an unfortunately relevant look into rising authoritarianism, showing how democracy can collapse when fear and ambition outweigh principle.”
Even with a sobering message, the play keeps a sense of fun. “The relationship between Portia and her servant Lucius stands out as a particularly fun aspect of the show. That is, in no small part, thanks to the comedic duo of Mathew Glynn (Lucius) and Gabby Rose (Portia). Gabby fills the role of the straight ‘man’ and serves as the perfect comedic foil for Mathew’s larger than life persona and endless witticisms.”
“Since high school, I’ve always loved reading and performing Shakespeare—the flexibility in the interpretations of his works and his infinite imagination never disappoints!” – Kerry Gudjohnsen, director of ‘Less Than Noble’ for ‘Now That’s What I Call Shakespeare’
– Kerry Gudjohnsen, director of ‘Less Than Noble’ for ‘Now That’s What I Call Shakespeare’
Director Carl Johnson, in his first Shakespeare-related work, asks what might have happened if Iago from Othello was imprisoned and punished rather than killed at the end of the play.
Johnson says, “Iago now stands before a parole board to plead his case. Has he reformed, or is he still playing at being a master manipulator? I get to explore the ideas of whether or not a person can truly be rehabilitated and move on or if some crimes simply can never be forgiven.”
Of the cast, Johnson shares, “Elisio Barreto and Avery Fay are two of my actors. They both have put in an incredible amount of work and during improv exercises have demonstrated that they know their characters inside and out.” (Danny Georgiev also makes an appearance in the play as none other than Iago!)
Heirloom East Bay’s outdoor venue in the Castro Valley hills helps the audience take a step out of time and place to embrace the worlds of Shakespeare and of imagination. Come for some favorite moments from Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, stay for local theater.
Now That’s What I Call Shakespeare Festival
Friday, July 18- Sunday, July 27
Fri, Sat, Sun: 7pm
Heirloom East Bay
9990 Crow Canyon Rd., Castro Valley
Tickets: $25
