By Torri Adams and Matthew Adams
If you are in the mood for a good laugh, be sure to go see Utah Shakespeare Festival’s The Liar at the Randall Jones Theater in Cedar City. The characters, dialogue, and story will keep you smiling the entire time. Adapted by David Ives from the comedy by Pierre Corneille, The Liar is the hilarious story of the charmer, Dorante (Jeb Burris) who cannot tell the truth and fabricates the most elaborate tales whenever the chance presents itself. Newly arriving in Paris, he hires Cliton (Brandon Burk) as his personal valet—the catch is Cliton cannot tell a lie. Complete with mistaken identities, intertwining relationships, and confused information, the story unfolds with hilarity as the two get spun in Dorante’s web of lies while he tries to woo and find a wife.
When you see the name Brad Carroll listed as director, you know you are in for a treat. He does not disappoint. Congratulations to this fine director on another fabulous show. Under his direction, Burris and Burk play their characters so well that you will quickly get engrossed in the tale. They easily play off each other in ways you may not expect. With his truthful heart, Cliton does not see the lies Dorante is devising, making their relationship all the more entertaining. Dorante, on the other hand, cannot understand how or why Cliton would tell the truth all of the time and tries to teach him the art of lying.
The two men meet Clarice (Betsy Mugavero) and Lucrece (Aidaa Peerzada) on the street, and Dorante quickly falls in love. Many more lies, and a mistaken identity get Dorante in quite the fix trying to win the heart of the beautiful Clarice. Clarice and Lucrece are not simpletons though and devise their own plots to trap Dorante in his lies. Mugavero and Peerzada are charming and witty. Though they may be cunning, they also fill the stage with elegance and joy. They are attended by their twin maids, Sabine and Isabelle, both played by Katie Cunningham. Cunningham could win an award for her quick and believable change in character. She expertly puts on different character voices and airs. Another mistaken identity crisis unfolds as Dorante and Cliton do not know that Sabine and Isabelle are twins.
To add to the confusion, Alcippe (Wayne T. Carr) gets involved in the mess. Alcippe is Clarice’s secret fiancé as well as an old friend of Dorante’s. With the engagement unbeknownst to Dorante, he tells another lie that leads Alcippe to believe Dorante has taken his love on a nighttime extravaganza. One of my favorite scenes comes from this misunderstanding as Alcippe challenges Dorante to a duel unlike one I have ever seen. Carr and Burris play this scene with such commitment and flair that it was almost believable. And when you see the play, you will know what I mean.
Though their parts may seem smaller, Dorante’s father, Geronte (Kipp Moorman) and Alcippe’s friend, Philiste (Jeremy Thompson) are no less significant in the play. They play their roles fabulously and add to the plot and humor.
Betsy Mugavero (left) as Clarice and Jeb Burris as Dorante
The scenic, lighting, and costume design (Jason Lajka, William C. Kirkham, and David Kay Mickelsen, respectively) are spectacular. Each piece adds to the experience and offers color and style. I thoroughly enjoyed the forced perspective set pieces and the beautiful lighting on the backdrop and stage. Set changes are never boring as each included an adaptation of a popular theme song that cleverly corresponds to the scene. My husband and I enjoyed testing our pop-culture knowledge to see if we could identify each one.
Prepare yourself as the entirety (almost) of the show is in iambic pentameter, but do not let that discourage you as the characters play off the meter with light heartedness and humor. They often will adapt words to fit the pentameter, giving you yet another reason to laugh out loud. However, keep this fact in mind as it may be hard for a younger audience to follow. There is also some language and adult content and innuendos that may be offensive to a sensitive viewer.
The Liar is another wonderful show from Utah Shakespeare Festival. It is easily one of the most humorous shows I’ve seen this year. I promise you will not be disappointed in this production. It is entertaining from start to finish, and that’s no lie.
Utah Shakespeare Festival presents The Liar by David Ives adapted from Le Menteur by Pierre Corneille
Randall L. Jones Theatre, 300 West Center Street, Cedar City, UT 84720
Select dates, September 14 – October 13, 2018 2:00 PM, 8:00 PM
Tickets: $32-75
Utah Shakespeare Festival Facebook Page
The Liar Facebook Event
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