Displaying items by tag: Heather Chrisler

Strindberg’s quintessential battle of the sexes play, ‘Mies Julie’ is retold by award winning South African playwright Yael Farber. ‘Mies Julie’ is a modernized version set eighteen years after the abolishment of apartheid. Directed by Dexter Bullard, Victory Gardens presents this regional premiere.

‘Mies Julie’ has been a controversial play since it premiered in the late 1800s. Strindberg’s representation of a strong-willed aristocratic woman has always been a plum role for actresses. The sexual tension between Miss Julie and her servant is an apt metaphor for the competition between men and women especially in an era where women had few, if any rights to property.

Putting this play in modern day South Africa is a wise way to address the racial inequality still present nearly thirty years since apartheid’s end. The stakes are raised here as John is fighting for more than just dominance. His ambition is to win back the land he believes was stolen from his ancestors, while Julie represents the white ruling class that fears change.

Heather Chrisler plays Mies Julie, a young woman we learn has recently broken off an engagement. Chrisler flawlessly reproduces a South African accent. In fact, it’s so good there are times you struggle to follow. Her performance is wild and untamed. She’s endlessly tempting and viciously wicked. Her co-star Jalen Gilbert in the role of John is just as seductive. While Gilbert’s performance is more sympathetic, there’s a violent undercurrent that is thrilling to watch. There’s a great deal of chemistry between these actors and seeing it ebb and flow is incredibly sexy.

‘Mies Julie’ is like watching a game of tennis. Each line between the two characters is a volley and often the meaning of words and feelings changes on a dime. In the short span of seventy minutes, Yael Farber tells a complete story of the family trees of Julie and John. The dialogue is a constant one-up-manship and in the end, you may wonder who really wins.

The sultry atmosphere envisioned by Dexter Bullard is the perfect backdrop for this titillating drama. The heat is palpable. With simple touches the stage is set for an edge-of-your-seat verbal and physical struggle for power in a changing world.

At Victory Gardens through Jun 24th. 2433 N Lincoln Ave. 773-871-3000.

In the action-packed world premiere of Captain Blood, First Folio Executive Producer David Rice along with his wife, Artistic Director Alison C. Vesely, have collaborated on a swashbuckling adventure that is sure to be long remembered for its choreographed swordfights, enthralling story and witty comicality. Sadly, Alison recently lost a two-year battle with cancer and passed away just two months before Captain Blood’s debut. But her final collaboration with her husband will undoubtedly leave its mark on those who see it, as it is sure to be rooted in the minds of audience members thanks to Rice’s skilled writing, a talented cast and a strong directing effort. A fitting tribute to Alison C. Vesley, Captain Blood is stamped with Rice’s humor and is engulfed with a subtle warm-heartedness throughout and not-so-subtle theme of love that can only exist in a project of true passion.  

Adapted from Rafeal Sabatini’s 1922 classic novel Captain Blood (later turned into a film in 1935), theatre goers are regaled to the captivating high seas exploit of Peter Blood, a 17th century British physician, imprisoned by his own country for treating enemy Spanish soldiers. Blood is soon sold to a plantation on a Caribbean island for ten pounds where he becomes a slave. It’s not long after his enslavement that Blood falls in love with the niece of the plantation’s owner, Arabella Bishop. But after a daring escape, Blood soon takes to the waters, this time as a Caribbean pirate captain, whose favorite pastime is robbing Spanish ships. Throughout his pillaging, we wonder if Captain Blood will once again cross paths with his love, Arabella. 

Wonderfully directed by Janice L. Blixt, Captain Blood is a thrilling story of romance and freedom. Though a fast-paced pirate adventure, Blixt does a fantastic job of implementing a strong leitmotif of love as the play’s underlying driving force. 

Nick Sandys (Artistic Director of Remy Bumppo) leads this gifted cast as Captain Blood, a role that Rice immediately envisioned for the dashing actor five years ago during the project’s inception. Not only does Sandys deliver a picture-perfect performance as the charming, yet dynamic captain, he is also the contributing force behind the choreography of the play’s many dazzling swordfights and action scenes.  Sandys is joined by Heather Chrisler as his subject of love, Arebella Bishop. Some might remember Chrisler for her compelling portrayal of Virginia Poe in Rice’s brilliant work, The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe. Though not as challenging a role as Virginia Poe, Chrisler is as flawless as can be as Arebella, giving Sandys a believable counterpart to whom we can truly relate. 

The play also gets a boost from veteran actor Kevin McKillip whose previous work includes First Folio’s The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe and The Winter’s Tale. McKillip takes on dual roles as both Hagthorpe, a ship crew member who helps narrate the play, and Don Alan, a Spanish sea captain. It is McKillip who draws the biggest laughs due to his delicious comic timing and hilarious delivery of a Castilian Spanish accent. Other nods go to Christopher W. Jones as Wolverton, Sam Krey as Lord Julian and Aaron Christensen as Colonel Bishop/Harper.

With its many characters donning costumes to the likeness of the era and a vast set that is often used as a nautical vessel complete with trapdoors and projections of the Caribbean seascape, it is easy to get lost into this classic story. 

Captain Blood is an adventurous production that is sure to capture the hearts and imagination of all those who are seeking high seas fun, action and love. Recommended as a show the entire family can enjoy, Captain Blood will be performed at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oakbrook through February 26th. For tickets and/or more information on this beautifully adapted for stage production of the definitive novel, click here.