Invictus Theatre Company: The Winter’s Tale Review
Carolyn Waldee, Sydney René Cox, Andrea Uppling, Michael Stejskal
Invictus Theatre Company Presents THE WINTER’S TALE Review - A Stunning Delivery of A Shakespearean Tragedy Turned Comedy
TLDR: Set in a place between fantasy and reality, this production of The Winter’s Tale creates a world where time is a central theme both in set and sound. The cast delivers a strong performance as they masterfully craft their characters with the original Elizabethan text.
Raúl Alonso, Andrea Uppling
Two Disparate Acts Become One Whole Picture
The challenge with The Winter’s Tale is that it almost feels like the two acts are completely different plays. The first is melodramatic, angry, and rife with emotional jealousy. Then the second evokes the lusty month of May with comedy, singing, and love.
Michael Stejskal as Leontes is what blends the two together. He is the main driving force behind how everyone falls apart in the beginning as he becomes a jealous and paranoid tyrant as he accuses his wife of being unfaithful. We feel Leontes extreme rage and unhinged behavior that we know is coming from a place of insecurity and just want to shake him out of it as he drives everyone away.
But then, as we enter the second act and enough time has passed for him to sit with his loneliness, he comes across as a softer, wizened king. He wears a soft gray cardigan instead of the heavy military jacket with round glasses on his face and a streak of white in his hair. Though still mournful over losing his family, we see the change as he speaks softer and welcomes Florizel into his home and shows remorse for his past actions.
He brings the two acts together as the cause and resolution and his fellow company members build these two worlds around him as the effects.
The Cast Goes All Out
There is not a single actor not going all out in this production and that’s what gives it life.
Andrea Uppling as Hermione is charming as she smiles easily with her guests and shows much love and affection to her son. But she is steadfastly loyal and shows strength beyond what many women would be capable of even after being locked away, giving birth in jail, and her husband trying her for treason.
Right alongside her is another powerful woman with Amber Dow as Paulina. Dow knows no bounds when she feels strongly about something spitting fiery words trying to keep the king sane. When everyone suffers because of the king, she releases hellfire on him after his actions cause his wife and son to perish.
Sam Nachison plays a Lord and also Autocylus as the leader of a troupe of vagabonds. At first he sings his song of how he finds various funding sources for his band of nomads and we’re already chuckling at his absurd wardrobe. But then pair him with Kyle Quinlivan as the dimwitted shepard’s son and Nachison shines as he pickpockets Quinlivan with flair. He winks at the audience as he comes onstage again as a salesman, ready to dupe Quinlavan once again. And even in his final scene, he has us rolling as he manically tries to exit without getting caught.
And what would The Winter’s Tale be without the iconic, “Exit, pursued by a bear.” Fred A. Wellisch as Antigonus gives us his best offstage screams as he is, in fact, chased by a bear.
If I could call out each actor for how they made their characters come to life on stage, I would. I felt they were each distinct and each one took “there’s no small parts” to heart.
Kyle Quinlivan, Sam Nachison
Time Is Of The Essence
The clock ticks ominously throughout the theater. At first, it counts down til the beginning of the show and the cast joins in counting down the last ten seconds before yelling Happy New Year! As time passes throughout the play, we hear that resounding clock tick reminding us that time always passes, so try not to live with regrets. Designed by Petter Wahlbäck, we’re also treated to original compositions during the play as well. The ladies of the court step to the side and play accompanying tunes that also give extra depth to this production.
The land of this Winter’s Tale is a working combination of real and fantasy. Time comes into play on the main raised platform stage. It’s round with spokes like a clock face. Tall bands of lights stand as pillars surrounding the platform. Wide doors sit at the back of the stage acting as the main entrance and exit point. Off to the side a mossy pathway with trees bending over it leads offstage. It becomes both the rigid and structured walls of the palace to the bright and warm lands of Bohemia.
Jennifer Agather, Robert Hunter Bry
The After Party Thoughts
Chicago is on a Shakespeare high right now after having recently seen four fantastic Shakespeare plays in the past month and I am here for it (I’m not kidding - check out Hamlet at Chicago Shakes, Titus Andronicus at Redtwist, and Strawdog’s Much Ado after you finish this). And yes, the fourth one is this one, Invictus’ The Winter’s Tale. I applaud any company that can deliver Shakespeare in the original Elizabethan text and make it understandable with their line delivery because it truly is an art.
Then comes the cast and production elements themselves and how they all worked together to create an engaging thrillride of a show. Though this show clocks in at about three hours, it is well worth your time if you’re in the mood for a great production of Shakespeare.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
When
Now through April 20, 2025
Where
Windy City Playhouse
3014 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60618
Runtime: 3 hours, including an intermission
Tickets
$25+
Tickets can be purchased online through the Invictus Theatre website
Photos
Aaron Reese Boseman Photography
Kyle Quinlivan, Chuck Munro
CAST
Michael Stejskal (King Leontes)
Andrea Uppling (Hermione)
Raúl Alonso (Polixenes)
Robert Hunter Bry (Florizel)
Amber Dow (Paulina)
Jennifer Agather (Perdita/Maximillus)
Kim Pereira (Camillo)
Fred A. Wellisch (Antigonus/Bohemian Ensemble/Musician)
Carolyn Waldee (Emilia, Mopsa, Lord/Musician)
Sam Nachison (Autolycus/Lord)
Chuck Munro (Shepherd/Lord)
Kyle Quinlivan (Clown/Lord/Musician/Archidamus)
Sydney René Cox (Lady 3/Lord/Servant/Dorcas/Musician)
George Dougherty (Ensemble/Officer/Lord/Time)
Megan Erin Lai (Ensemble/Lady 2/Shepherdess (Musician)
Diego Rivera-Rodriguez (Mariner/Lord/Bohemian Ensemble)
Jose Yantin Jr. (Ensemble/The Bear, U/S: Autolycus/Florizel)
Adam Schulmerich (Leontes/Polixenes)
Anne Trodden (Hermione/Paulina)
Mary Margaret McCormack (Perdita/Emilia/Others)
Whitney Minarik (Camillo, Hermione 2nd Cover)
Arabella DeLucco (Clown/Paulina 2nd Cover)
Rory Jobst (Shepherd/Antigonus)
Chase Wheaton-Werle (Leontes 2nd Cover)
CREATIVE
Charles Askenaizer (Director)
Kevin Rolfs (Scenic Design)
Petter Wahlbäck (Sound Designer and Composer)
Jessie Gowens (Costume Designer)
Trey Brazeal (Lighting Designer)
Randy Rozler (Properties Design)
Jay Donley (Fight/Intimacy Designer)
Jen Cupani (Choreographer)
Todd Henry Faulstich (Executive Producer)
Stacy Scapino (Production Manager)
Desiree Stypinski (Stage Manager)
Beep Trefts (Assistant Stage Manager)
Tom McNelis (Technical Director)
Hannah Bolstad (Master Electrician)
Becca Holloway (Casting Director)
MC Dougherty (Marketing Manager)
Ana Schedler (Graphic Designer)