‘The Mark of Zorro’ Nails Swordsman, Markedly Complicates Cast, Botches Dialect

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:33:55 -0700

CHICAGO – Sometimes less, of course, is more. Live theater often knows that better than anyone. That’s exactly the shrill reminder Chicago’s Lifeline Theatre needed in Katie McLean’s adaptation of the beloved Zorro book by Johnston McCulley.

With 13 actors on stage and 19 additional among management and tech, it’s admirable to see so many components attempt to tick soundly together. Unfortunately, this decision didn’t yield an idyllic symphony. Instead, the choice revealed patently weak links.

Zorro (James Elly, top) teaches Captain Ramon (Robert Kauzlaric) a bloody lesson in “The Mark of Zorro”.
Photo credit: Suzanne Plunkett

“The Mark of Zorro” would have been exceedingly enhanced by replicating the talent of James Elly – who in his Clark Kent-like mode played Don Diego Vega and then played Zorro when it was time for Superman – as well as Rosa de Guindos as Lolita.

His no-romance attempts to woo her were surprisingly comical. Her disenchanted response to his worldly goods is what you’d expect from a highly desired maiden. The two – actually, the three of them – ultimately concocted chemistry as Don Diego Vega took a page from Zorro’s quixotic ways.

As Don Diego Vega, James Elly’s penchant for recurring “fatigue” was a pleasantly unexpected adaptation. Still, some could consider the script hokey and those turned off by the purposefully overdramatic and campy might find themselves repelled.

It’s difficult to know whether dialect coach Elise Kauzlaric was lacking in her critical duty to transform the overall speech of this production or if the predominantly non-Latino cast just couldn’t authentically sell the Latino theme.

While the Persian James Elly nailed the accent, Larry Baldacci and Don Bender also adapted well. Baldacci and Bender deliver sound performances and stand out as supporting characters amid a large cast of many who merely blended in.

I instantly recognized Hanlon Smith-Dorsey from his 2007 production of “Paradise Lost” at the TimeLine Theatre. This time around, he effectively disappears into the character of a friar and interchanges with the role of a governor.

Zorro (James Elly, right) wins the heart of the fiery Lolita (Rosa de Guindos) in Lifeline Theatre’s adaptation of “The Mark of Zorro” by Johnston McCulley, which was adapted by Katie McLean and directed by Dorothy Milne.
Photo credit: Suzanne Plunkett

Manny Tamayo, though, sticks out as the plays unfortunate sore thumb. While no one could possibly come away thinking he lacks energy, there are much subtler ways to redirect it where he’s truly feeling it rather than merely bellowing it. Tamayo is also a director at The Factory Theater in Chicago.

Though it’s unclear why production photography made such a stark statement about Zorro’s mark on James Elly’s back but then never showed it in the actual play, the illustrious “Z” did light up momentarily on a wooden post.

Despite palpable pros and cons in a play that was absolutely too lengthy, the fundamental tenant of romance and the importance of courting is an exquisitely worthy message to bring center stage.

“The Mark of Zorro” has been extended to run through July 20, 2008 (initially through June 22, 2008) at the Lifeline Theatre at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. in Chicago. The play runs on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $25.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Top Chicago Theater Picks For Feb. 14, 2008: ‘Heat Wave,’ ‘Augusta,’ ‘Columbinus’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:01:41 -0700

CHICAGO – Following the popularity of our HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film offering (free advance-screening movie passes!), we’ve had numerous requests from readers to offer the same kind of deals for local theater and comedy, too. We are now pleased to bring you the HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Theater & Comedy as a result of a new partnership with Goldstar.

Similiar but a bit different than our partnership with FilmMetro.com for HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, this new package features our top selections for the best theater and comedy shows just about to raise their curtains specifically in Chicago. While these obviously can’t all be offered for free, some are free and most are half price!

We are confident about our decision to partner with Goldstar for this important offering. Founded in 2002 in Los Angeles, Goldstar is comprised of Internet professionals from Warner Bros., Yahoo!, etc. who have been working in e-commerce since before it was called e-commerce.

For each of the Chicago productions we feature below, all they ask is for you to create a free account, which takes but a minute. You’ll then have access to all the free and half-price tickets to top-quality productions that your heart desires. Here are this week’s selections and deals!

Title: “Heat Wave”
Venue: Pegasus Players at O’Rourke Center
Dates: Feb. 21 to 24, 2008
Full Price: $15 Partner Price: Free!
Description: Based on the book “Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago,” Steven Simoncic’s moving new play looks at the heat wave of 1995 that took the lives of 739 Chicagoans. Simoncic presents a vivid portrait of a city in crisis but with its resources and humanity firmly intact.
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Title: “Columbinus”
Venue: Raven East Stage
Dates: Feb. 14 to March 15, 2008
Full Price: $25 Partner Price: Free-$12.50!
Description: “Columbinus” is a fascinating examination of human behavior based on interviews with Columbine residents. The play first creates a general world of adolescence and then morphs into the factual events leading specifically to the school shootings. “Columbinus” asks: “Why do people treat each other the way we do?”
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Title: “Augusta”
Venue: American Theater Company
Dates: Feb. 14 to 24, 2008
Full Price: $30-$35 Partner Price: $15-$17.50!
Description: American Theater Company presents the Chicago premiere of Richard Dresser’s “Augusta,” which is directed by “Saturday Night Live” alum Nora Dunn. This searing dark comedy puts the clash between working people and corporate America under the microscope. Two women and their boss scheme with and against each other as they strive to make a housekeeping service their ticket to success. As the trio’s desperation moves them to test ethical limits, Augusta confronts the real meaning of getting ahead.
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Title: “Good Boys and True”
Venue: Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre
Dates: Feb. 15 to 16, 2008
Full Price: $55-$68 Partner Price: $27.50-$34!

Description: Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s “Good Boys and True”. When Brandon Hardy – a highly regarded student at an elite prep school – is embroiled in a scandal that threatens his future, his mother must investigate to separate fact from fiction.

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Title: “Talking it Over”
Venue: Lifeline Theatre
Dates: Feb. 11 to March 16, 2008
Full Price: $25 Partner Price: $12.50!

Description: When steady Stuart marries the enigmatic Gillian, his impetuous school chum, Oliver, senses that three has become a crowd. But who will end up on the outside as this love triangle struggles to find balance? This darkly comic look at friendship, loyalty and love is at once funny and brutal.

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By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com