Recently, audiences have witnessed modern-day incarnations of "Hamlet," "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Taming of the Shrew," so it was only a matter of time until Shakespeare's sonnets received similar treatment.
An interesting, if uneven experiment, "Love's Fire," is a medley of seven scenes penned by some of the most eminent playwrights working today.
Playing at the Helms through Saturday, the Drama Department's "Fire" establishes seven different scenarios that lead into the delivery of one of the Bard's sonnets (including Sonnet 154, wherefrom the play gets its name).
An early highlight from the opening night performance March 9 was "Waiting for Philip Glass," in which Wendy Wasserstein abandons her generally brash sense of humor for a more low-key tone. The dance between once, and perhaps future, flames Holden (Emily Swallow) and Gerry (Chris Harcum) is masterfully played out, with Sariantra Kali excellent in her role as Holden's friend Spencer.
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Directors Kate Burke and John Loschmann generally are able to get to the heart of their scenes, and the ensemble (which also features standouts Matt Garrity and Cesar A. Guadamuz) displays such an energetic camaraderie that they lose the audience in this humorous explication.
However, "Fire" is worth seeing; it's a perfect reminder of just how vital Shakespeare's works remain.
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