By Jennifer and Craig Mustoe

Long we have been fans of Grassroots Shakespeare Company, and we were delighted to see their end-of-summer-season triple header, performed at the Castle Amphitheater in Provo. This summer’s performances were The Fantasticks, which we reviewed in June, and The Tempest. The third show in last night’s triple header was The Merchant of Venice, which GSC performed throughout the school year to Orem schools, thanks to the Orem Care Grant.

If you aren’t familiar with Grassroots Shakespeare Company, they are a troupe of actors, many who perform in many of their shows, based in Utah. There are three other GSC groups, in AZ, in AL, and in London. To say we are blessed to have such an inventive, talented group right here in Utah is an understatement. The idea behind Grassroots’ creations are they try to duplicate plays as done in Shakespeare’s time: get the part, memorize it, no director, short rehearsal time, construct your portable stage, put on the play. Though this modern-day group does have longer than a few hours of rehearsal, they adhere very carefully to Shakespeare’s format. However, you would never know it by the extravaganza this group puts forth. Grassroots Shakespeare Company’s productions are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, from straight Shakespeare, to a musical, to improv. And indeed, that’s what these shows are–a conglomeration of all three genres. GSC productions do not stay gender specific, and many women play men and vice versa.

The Tempest, considered Shakespeare’s last and perhaps greatest play, is filled with comedy, magic, evil, love, and profound messages. Set on a remote island, sorcerer Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan (Jason Eric Sullivan–also Bellamy in The Fantasticks), creates a great storm (or in other words, a tempest) to facilitate a plan to restore his daughter, Miranda (Paris Abigail Moore–also XXXX in The Fantasticks) as rightful heir to the throne. Prospero magically creates the tempest, delightfully shown by water being splashed in the face of the steering-wheel holding captain and a huge undulating swath of blue fabric being pulled and yanked between four cast members the length of the stage. Does it look like water storming up against a boat? No. Does it add to our delight? Absolutely. GSC’s ingenuity is part of the reason we see their shows every single season. We can’t get enough of what they do.

Prospero’s enemies, his deceitful brother Antonio (Ardon Smith–also (a different) Antonio in Merchant and Hucklebee in Fantasticks) and Alonso, the king of Naples (Levi Brown) and Alonso’s “counselor” Gonzalo (Addison Radle–also Henry in Fantasticks) provide a great and comedic battle between good and evil. Prospero and daughter adopt a monster, Caliban (Benjamin Henderson–also El Gallo in Fantasticks), who feels under appreciated by the father-daughter pair and falls in with Antonio and Alonso, and then befriends Stephano (Smith) and Trinculo (Emma Robinson), who teach him all kinds of shenanigans. Antonio’s son, Ferdinand (Carter Walker–also The Mute in Fantasticks), meanwhile, has met Miranda and in true Shakespeare style, they fall madly in love at first sight. Wending into the plot is the delightful spirit Ariel (Amber Dodge Tinney–also Portia in Merchant and Luisa in Fantasticks), who dances, sings, and connives at the behest of her master, Prospero.

Because there are three subplots, this story gets a little involved. Add to this, many actors play more than one character. But again, this is the beauty of a GSC production. The actors become whatever character they play, by costuming (which they put together themselves), masks, mannerisms, voices, and context.

Often when I write a review, I mention a certain actor’s especial affect in a certain scene or two. I can never do this with a GSC production because they are All. So. Good. Looking back, I’m admiring Sullivan’s stirring monologues. I’m laughing at Henderson’s zany antics as the monster (who is wearing a stuffed animal crab hat and swathed in a net.) I’m sighing with romantic sweetness of the two lovers, whose starry-eyed darling-ness and so many very current, very obvious, very funny mannerisms make this show completely modern. I’m touched with Dodge Tinney’s respectful bow to her master as she hopes he’ll set her free. I think of her singing many of her lines, adding such layers to her character and the piece as a whole. Smith, Brown, and Radle are wonderful as bad guys, filled with delicious malice, but so much comedy, we fight to not love them. Robinson did such a drunken good job, I wanted to see more of her in the play. What talent!

In the background, a live band plays, putting a Ding from a triangle or a Thump from a drum to accentuate a plot twist. The music does not distract, but enhances the organic feel of the show.

Last night’s performance was $15 for the triple header. Throughout the summer, Tempest and Fantasticks have been performed free to audiences all over Utah, though they suggest a $5 donation. When I say that fifteen bucks is worth it to see these three shows, I’ve never spoken a truer statement. And don’t think, whoa, THREE plays, two of them Shakespeare? Should I wear my jammies to the show? The answer is no, though it is a rather longer evening than you may be used to. But they zip along, and in between, the live band plays some original songs and old favorites like “Twist and Shout.”
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Tonight is the last night to see these three shows, so really, drop everything and go see Grassroots Shakespeare Company’s triple header. Take a blanket to sit on if you don’t want to sit in their plastic chairs, but the chairs are pretty comfortable. I actually sat in my camp chair that I brought myself, as almost all the chairs were taken and tonight’s final performance may be so full, all the chairs will be taken. The bugs were not bad, but you may want to spritz yourself with bug spray. And take sunglasses and/or a hat. The sun at 8 PM is not yet set. Wear light clothing. It is hot. I would recommend bringing any tween or teen who likes comedy, Shakespeare, and staying up a little late. Though there is very mild sexual innuendo, it is so tame, most kids won’t even get it.

Grassroots Shakespeare Company presents The Tempest, The Merchant of Venice, and The Fantasticks.

Summer Tour Finale (Triple Header)

Friday and Saturdsay – July 7 & 8

Castle Amphitheatre, 1300 East Center Street, Provo, UT 84606 (If you’ve never been to this venue, go all the way up Center Street to the roundabout, go around it and turn north. Turn slightly to the right up the hill. Unless you get there really early, don’t even bother trying to find parking at the top of the hill. Just park and walk up.)
Contact: $15.00
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