Write Act Repertory Company  Presents

the World Premiere of:

The Devil's Bride

by Joan Silsby

Directed by Jim Blanchette

November 11^th thru December 10^th 2005

The Devil's Bride, romantic comedy-mystery, takes place a week after the events in Much Ado About Nothing, with the villainous Don John the Bastard still languishing in Messina's jail after attempting to thwart his rival's wedding.  Don John is given a chance to redeem himself, if he consents to marry Signore Benedick's sister Allegra.  However, Lady Allegra is under a Gypsy curse.  She has already been engaged three times, and all three of her intended bridegrooms have died before reaching the altar.  Will Don John be next?

Wendy Gough, Matthew St. James

RECOMMENDED!!!!

The Devil’s Bride

by Neal Broverman

It's only taken 400 years, but now Shakespeare lovers have an amusing, clever sequel to one of the Bard's masterworks of comedy. The Devil's Bride expertly written by Joan Silsby and presented by John Lant and Write Act Repertory Co., is an Elizabethan fantasy covering events that follow the conclusion of Shakespeare's light-hearted Much Ado about Nothing.

Elizabeth A. Hillman, Adam Legg, Michelle Tolan, Rasool Jahan, Matthew St. James, Dorrie Grace, Paul Eppleston

Silsby and director Jim Blanchette have wisely taken into account that not all 21st century theatergoers are well versed in Much Ado. Their play has a great prelude to the action, where Queen Elizabeth decrees that Shakespeare must compose a sequel to Much Ado, and in doing so, the events of that play are recounted quickly for all. Soon, the world's most famous playwright is finished with his new work and his follow-up unfolds. The Devil's Bride moves the action from the heroes of Much Ado to the enemy, Don John the Bastard. It is ordered that John’s punishment for attempting to breakup Lady Hero and Count Claudio in Much Ado is that John must marry Allegra, a woman who suffers from a Gypsy curse that kills all her suitors. More ado about not much goes on, but it’s easy to get caught up in the silly and self-involved Elizabethans that get lost in all their self-made drama. Standout performances include Matthew St. James’ take on bad boy (or is he?) Don John, Adam Legg’s hilariously posturing Count Claudio, and Elizabeth Hillman’s Beatrice, who delivers insults and one-liners with a rapier wit. Jackie DiGiovanni’s costume design was stellar and detail-oriented. Fight choreographer Ron Ransen also went above and beyond... The Devil’s Bride is a well-prepared confection that would have made the Bard proud.

RECOMMENDED

Paul Eppleston

Entertainment Today Friday, November 18, 2005 – Vol. 38, No. 6

The Devil’s Bride

Reviewed by Beth Temkin

Write Act Repertory Company and producing Artistic Director John Lant present a World Premiere of the Elizabethan fantasy, "The Devil’s Bride."Written by Joan Silsby, this sequel to William Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing" has the Queen (Rebecca Brooks) unsatisfied with the ending of the play.  She commands the Master Playwright to produce a sequel or lose his head.  Period-costumed actors mingle with the audience before the play starts and then quickly assume other character roles as it begins...

Dorrie Grace

With the entrance of Matthew St. James as Don John and Wendy Gough as Lady Allegra, the wordy text becomes clearly articulated.  Benedick has arranged with Don Pedro (Wil Bowers) to release Don John from jail on the condition he woos and marries his sister Allegra. But Allegra refuses to marry Don John because of a Gypsy curse.  Despite this, Don John is smitten and ardently pursues her.  St. James has just the right dark, swarthy looks to portray the unsavory Don John and pretty Wendy Gough shows spunk as Allegra.  Costumes are faithful to the Elizabethan period (Jackie DiGiovanni), and the set design by John Lant allows for maximum movement.  Robert Spuhler’s sound design includes recordings of Elizabethan music and the sound of horses during a stable fire, made real by director Jim Blanchette.  The swordplay between Don Jon and Claudio by fight choreographer Ron Ransen also added authenticity to the production.

Scott Greenwood

"The Devil’s Bride"runs through December 11, Thursday Through Saturday at 8 p.m. with a special Sunday performance December 12 at 6 p.m.  The Write Act Repertory Theatre is located at 6128 Yucca Street in Hollywood.  Tickets are $20 for general admission, and $15 for seniors/students/groups.  Free parking on the south side of St. Stephens Church on 6125 Carlos Street.  For Information and reservations, call 323-769-6231.

Elizabeth A. Hillman, Robert Spuhler

The Tolucan Times- Canyon Crier Wednesday, November 16th 2005

“The Devil’s Bride”Seduces

By Mary Mallory

Matthew St. James

 An entertaining, romantic sequel to William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” Write Act Repertory Company’s world premiere of Joan Silsby’s “The Devil’s Bride” features fine acting and directing.  A fast tempo-ed, tongue-in-cheek parody of Shakespeare, romantic comedy, and mystery, the play is a lighthearted romp.

Postmodern in it’s approach to Shakespeare and storytelling, the production features a play within a play.  Queen Elizabeth (Rebecca Brooks) demands that the playwright (Scott Greenwood) resolve the questions left hanging at the end of “Much Ado About Nothing.”

We then see his concocted play, revealing that Don John (Matthew St. James), the villain from “Much Ado” is not as villainous as believed.  He receives two choices as punishment; either marry Allegra (Wendy Gough), or lose everything he has.  Easier said than done, in that Allegra believes a curse hangs over her head as three previous suitors dies mysteriously before their vows.

Jonathan Harrison

Director Jim Blanchette builds an excellent tempo with overlapping dialogue, quick reactions and timing, and high energy.

Gough is gentle, expressive, and energetic.  St. James possesses high passion  and arrogance as the deep-hearted Don John.  Elizabeth A. Hillman makes Beatrice a waspish quick-tongued hoot.

Venessa Verdugo

Stephen Grove Malloy makes Conrad, Don John’s manservant, a campy, caring courtier, stealing scenes as he steals food.  Bringing down the house with his stooge like performance is Kyle Kulish as Constable Dogberry.

Containing moments of high slapstick comedy and intense moments of passion, “The Devil’s Bride” is an inventive, creative delight.

“The Devil’s Bride”performs at the Write Act Repertory Theatre, 6128 Yucca St. in Hollywood Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. through Dec. 11 with a special Dec. 12 performance at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20,, $15 for students, seniors, and groups.  Call (323) 769-6231 or visit www.writeactrep.org

 Wendy Gough

From Artistic Director John Lant

"I'm excited that we found this talented author in our midst, first as a patron, secondly as a new artist in residence. I read her book of the same title, and knew in that moment, this must be a play. Development of any new project, adaptation or new work, is one of the most fascinating aspects of the theatre So much care has to be given to the entire artist's pool,  providing the tone of the new project. Whether you are the writer, director, actor, or on the design team, there is a delicate balance that a producer must create for the nurturing of each discipline, so that no piece of the puzzle outweighs the strengths of the other. Especially when dealing with the delicate issue of penning  a sequel to one of our greatest playwrights. I admittedly love the mission statement of Write Act Repertory and the ensemble of artists that have the wherewithal to take this journey. I am sure you will be as impressed as I am.

Rasool Jahan, Adam Legg

Tracy Peyton	Stephen Grove Malloy	Bruno Patrick
Michelle Tolan	Wil Bowers	Kyle Kulish
Nadia Van De Ven