IndyFringe's "The Winter's Tale" For Those Who Need a Second Chance

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

INDIANA---Shakespeare's production of "The Winter’s Tale” isn’t “Hamlet,” with the dithering of over-thinking youth. This is one of Shakespeare's later plays, aka the "Problem Plays" which are the stuff of Artists who have known great joy and deep pain. Rooted in the Christian themes of order, judgement, grace and renewal, it's about second chances for unforgivable wrongs. While Hollywood's offbeat romantic-fantasy film,"Winter's Tale" also opens this Valentine's weekend, this play is a more authentic tale of great Love; great suffering; as well as a grand reconciliation. Integrating country-line dancing, modern costuming, elegance and buffoonery, IndyFringes's production is tragic, mysterious, romantic, hilarious and very well told. "The Winter's Tale has always been a siren song to me," wrote Amy Hayes, who plays the queen. "I am drawn to its mystery, its studied carelessness with details of time and place and realism. I love that it's a family story: how we hurt most the ones we love, and what forgiveness and redemption look like. I love that it raises issues of guilt and faithfulness and mercy and grace."

IndyFringe Basile Theatre: "A Winter's Tale", 719 E. St. Clair Street, Indianapolis, Indiana; February 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and March 1, 2014 - 8:00pm