Young Actors Shine at North Coast Rep

SOLANA BEACH, California — An avid fan of North Coast Repertory Theatre for the past 27 years, I seldom leave this precious gem when I am not bowled over by the performance, direction, set, and acting. Today I attended only my third Theatre School production and WOW! The caliber of these young actors is really quite breathtaking in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).

Ranging in age from 10 to 16, these actors memorized lines, executed clever choreography, and manifested incredible esprit de corps, under the direction of Ben Cole. Had I not seen it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, I would not have believed a group of thespians so young could not only pull off this challenging play but infuse it with such authenticity and obvious delight!

All 37 of the Bard’s plays are performed in part, and the script takes liberties with the timing and rhyming.  The show, written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield, is interlaced with bawdy and lewd innuendos and is deliciously naughty. Each comedy, tragedy, and history is touched upon including the “bad plays.” This comedic mash-up of Shakespeare’s works included a rap, some sword battles, sock puppets, and, true to form, lots of cross-dressing and questionable taste in wigs.  Each cast member took on several roles and each inhabited his/her/their character with gusto.

Isabella Podesta has been with the North Coast Rep’s Theatre School for just over a year. She was one of the principals of this show. Previous experiences on stage include: Much Ado About Nothing, The Night Witches, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She portrayed a wonderful Romeo and many other roles.

Audrey Wilkins is enjoying her fourth show with the Theatre School. She provided a great deal of biographical information on the Bard, as well as lots of psychological insight into Ophelia, so the audience could relate to the id, ego, and superego or “Floridian interpretation,” of that troubled character. Her portrayal of Hamlet was inspired, to say the least.

Kai Bunyak is in their fourth show with the Theatre School, and clearly delighted to be cast in so many great parts including, Juliet, Ophelia, and the nautically accessorized Othello. Kai’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s female roles was engaging and included copious amounts of vomiting.

Allister Bradberry, Basil Fitzgerald, Elise Holland, Eben Rosenzweig, and Nicole Sample rounded out the stellar cast with roles of Kings, Queens, the Nurse, Tybalt, witches, Polonius, and others. But the acting didn’t end at the footlights!  The cast demanded audience participation on a number of occasions and today’s audience was all in!

Sadly for San Diego audiences, the show closed on February 19. But take heart! The level of skill on stage is sure to impress and amuse in any upcoming show. And for budding actors, the following website will provide information about future auditions at NorthCoastRepTheatreSchool.org.

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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com