{"id":365074,"date":"2025-03-01T06:30:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T11:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/?p=365074"},"modified":"2025-03-01T06:30:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T11:30:04","slug":"hip-hop-in-gentle-verona-is-spunky-and-funny-at-george-washington-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dctheaterarts.org\/2025\/03\/01\/hip-hop-in-gentle-verona-is-spunky-and-funny-at-george-washington-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Hip-hop ‘In Gentle Verona’ is spunky and funny at George Washington University"},"content":{"rendered":"

The moment one leaves home for the first time \u2014 whether to explore, get an education, or simply find oneself \u2014 is a universal experience. Almost everyone can relate to it, Shakespeare included. He wrote Two Gentlemen of Verona<\/em> early on in his career, but much like his other plays, its messages are timeless. That\u2019s exactly what Travis Xavier set out to explore in this modern \u201chop-hop\u201d adaptation titled In Gentle Verona.<\/em><\/p>\n

This version follows the same plot structure of Shakespeare\u2019s original play: two best friends part ways as they venture into adulthood, only to find themselves reunited but torn apart by their shared love for the same woman. Proteus has a girlfriend from his hometown but is disloyal to her in pursuit of Sylvia, who is in love with Valentine, his best friend. The story then details the destruction of bonds and the roots of treachery, as well as the strength of friendship and trust, as these two men struggle to reconcile their desires with their promises.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Sarah \u2018Ray\u2019 Long (OutKasts), Natianna Strachey (OutKasts), Sami Madsen (OutKasts), Tyler Patterson (OutKasts), and Lady\u2019Jordan Matthews-Mason (Valentine) in \u2018In Gentle Verona.\u2019 Photo by Briana Diaz.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Part of the issue modern audiences run into with Shakespeare\u2019s plays is the language, as it is not what we\u2019re used to in the 21st century. However, this production kept the dialogue at an upbeat pace that fed into the overall energy of the cast. The lines were punchy, and the delivery was crisp, adding to the modern feel of this production. Throughout the show, the cast proved that they understood the text as they worked to convey it in a modern setting. Highlights from the cast include Alexandra Fenton as Lance, whose bold acting choices and strong commitment to the comedic value of the character kept audience members on their toes; Ali Lightfield as Julia, whose tenacity and determination had the audience rooting for her; and Alec Schneller as Proteus, whose moral dilemma and constant charisma pinpointed him from the get-go as a crucial character to the story. Overall, the cast dynamics were fun, funny, and upbeat, much like any frat house you might find.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Ali Lightfield (Julia, throwing cup), Sara Montalvo (Sylvia, on couch), and Lady’Jordan Matthews-Mason (Valentine, standing) with (in back) Sami Madsen, Sarah \u2018Ray\u2019 Long, Dory Black, Nathan Desta, Natianna Strachey, Amanda Kelly, and Alexandra Fenton in \u2018In Gentle Verona.\u2019 Photo by Briana Diaz.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A significant change from the original Shakespeare text to this adaptation is where the show is set \u2014 right here in DC! This distinct change is made clear right away with the fun DC elements littered throughout the set, like a poster of the Washington Monument. The entire scenic design by Harlan D. Penn introduces the audience to the updated setting from the moment you enter the theater. Another design element accentuating the modern setting is the costumes. Each character had clear color motifs that delineated where bonds were made (and perhaps also where they could be broken), and the added use of modern patterns and silhouettes by costume designer Emily Vallozzi helped define characters\u2019 personalities from the moment they stepped on stage.<\/p>\n

This play isn\u2019t performed often anymore, as is noted by dramaturg Eve Parent, because of the controversial ending where Proteus attempts to force himself on Silvia before being stopped by Valentine. Despite the intense ending, the cast and director did a great job taking care with that moment and being sure to highlight the condemning of Proteus by other characters for this action. This moment also speaks to another key motif this production team sought to highlight: the integration of modern voices and cultures into these traditional plays. Parent goes on in their statement to emphasize the importance of \u201cputting Shakespeare in direct conversation with Black culture\u201d so that more diverse people have a chance to connect with Shakespeare\u2019s relevant themes in ways that weren\u2019t possible when these plays were first written.<\/p>\n

In Gentle Verona<\/em> is a spunky, modern, and funny adaptation of one of Shakespeare\u2019s earliest works that stays true to the core of the original while still leaving room for modernity and new challenging questions and themes to be explored.<\/p>\n

Running Time: Two hours with a 10-minute intermission.<\/p>\n

In Gentle Verona<\/strong> <\/em><\/a>plays through March 2, 2025, presented by the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at George Washington University performing in the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, University Student Center \u2013 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC. For tickets ($20 adult, $10 seniors\/students), purchase them at the door or online<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n

In Gentle Verona<\/strong> <\/em>
\nAdapted and directed by Travis Xavier<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This modern adaption of Shakespeare’s ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ stays true to the original while leaving room for new questions and themes to be explored. By ISABELLA ARTINO<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":365086,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,63],"tags":[219],"class_list":{"0":"post-365074","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reviews","8":"category-university-shows","9":"tag-travis-xavier"},"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nHip-hop 'In Gentle Verona' is spunky and funny at George Washington University - 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