[rating=4]Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier is NOT only for plays by William Shakespeare, although many think so. They have gone off course of late and are trying to attract younger theater-goers as well as those who cannot handle (or tolerate) the English that The Bard used as “his language” ( based on how my spouse says it). They have done modern versions of the classic adding Beatles music and with their Yard at CST, where they premiered that amazing “Six”, they have done things that of a unique flavor.

Right now, on this stage, they are presenting a version of  Emily Bronte’s 1847 classic tale. “Wuthering Heights” ( published at first under a pen name of Ellis Bell). It is the story of two families of the gentry living on the West Yorkshire Moors, and their turbulent relationship because of the one family’s foster son, Heathcliff. The story deals with mental cruelty, physical cruelty and domestic abuse. It also caused some problems for the religious people who found the moral conduct below their standards.

Now, on their stage, CST has brought in the Wise Children’s “Wuthering Heights”. Wise Children is a group, formed just a few years ago that takes classic plays and redesigns them in a uniue and different way. They also train young actors so that the new generation of actors will be more diverse and have a greater understanding of their performance art. This organization is headed up by Emma Rice, who is the adaptor and director of this version.

The play is long- 2 hours and 50 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. NOTE: Opening night’s performance was about 20 minutes or so extra as something occurred that caused the show to halt . Some of us were told it was a tech situation, others a personnel situation. Needless to say, adding 20 or so minutes does make it harder for those who came by train ( if you were aware of today, there was a bit of snow).

This is a story of love, revenge and redemption, so I must tell you that this sterling cast redeemed themselves for the time lost- 110%.

The cast appears to be one that can rotate with role switching on a fairly regular basis. It was not understudies going on for– it was in tonight’s performance—.

The cast is made up of ten very different actors, several playing additional roles and four musicians. Oh, yes- there are songs, dances and puppets in this cleverly staged production. The cast is made up of Sam Archer ,Katy Ellis ( as Catherine tonight, otherwise Zillah the Moor),Georgia Bruce ( she is amazingly comic as Isabella),TJ Holmes, Stephanie Elston ( as Zillah the Moor),Jordan Laviniere, Tama Phethean, Eleanor Sutton, Liam Tamne and Lloyd Gorman ( who is also one of the musicians). The other musicians  are Sid Goldsmith, Pat Moran and TJ Holmes interact in roles as well as play the music.

The set is one of a kind with very little on the wooden stage. There are pieces that wheel on and off representing houses and other facades and lots of chairs that are used as set as well as a place for actors and musicians to sit when not in a scene.

White Light handled the lighting design and the sound was created Sound Stage Services. These are companies that create systems that can be moved from stage to stage with little or no alteration. They make it easy for a show of this magnitude to take to the road.

This is a very long play, but is highly educational in that we get to see a unique and different interpretation of a classic story. While I myself am not a Bronte fan, I can see the value of what this troupe has done with the play. They have made it more comfortable for the young people of today. I know that young people need to have more of a story told to them or they will never get it. This may still be a bit too long, but there is enough activity and action to make one at least pay attention to see what happens next. Are there ghosts or spirits leading us to find the story?

You can find out at Navy Pier!

 

The Wise Children’s “Wuthering Heights will continue at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier Thru – Feb 19, 2023

with performances as follows: