Southwest Alumni Lenne Klingaman Returns to the Jungle Theater Stage

THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA

THROUGH - MARCH 27
 

by  William Shakespeare
directed by  Sarah Rasmussen
featuring  Shá Cage, Maggie Chestovich,
Christiana Clark, George Keller, Barbara Kingsley,
Lenne Klingaman, Wendy Lehr and Mo Perry

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is director Sarah Rasmussen's debut as artistic head of the Jungle, and from the first moment it was apparent that things have changed at the cozy Lyn-Lake institution.
Whereas most shows under founding artistic director Bain Boehlke (who appeared, quiet and supportive, in the audience) were enclosed in tight, pristine sets on the Jungle's jewel box of a stage, Gentlemen set designer Andrew Boyce skips a ceiling, with two pink trees reaching past pink walls into exposed rigging. A dozen or so audience members are seated onstage, and performers occasionally appear in the audience, hit by unexpected spotlights.

Any questions about whether this dynamic approach is something Jungle regulars can get used to, though, are quickly answered by an irrepressible, almost ecstatic production of Shakespeare's early comedy. For the piece, Rasmussen has cast all women — and what women!

Gentlemen's ensemble is an all-star team of local female talent, led by Christiana Clark and Mo Perry as Proteus and Valentine, respectively. They're two young men who journey from their titular hometown to Milan, where they both quickly fall for a young royal named Silvia (returning Minneapolis expat Lenne Klingaman). Silvia has eyes only for Valentine, which is just as well since Proteus already has a sweetheart (Maggie Chestovich), who's making plans to come meet him in disguise.