Gabriella DeCarli, Weimy Montero Candelario, Alex Winnick
“Who is it that can tell me who I am?”
Gamut Theatre Group in downtown Harrisburg has long been considered the city’s “go-to” Shakespeare Theatre.
Every year, Gamut produces an educational Shakespeare production and a “Free Shakespeare in the Park” production. However, it’s been eight years since the theatre has produced a Shakespeare play on their Select Medical Mainstage. Finally, they are back to the bard with “King Lear.”
This month, Clark Nicholson, artistic director and co-founder of Gamut Theatre, takes on this beast of a role as the tortured king.
“Let’s be honest, people have wondered for a long time when Clark would get around to playing this role,” said Thomas Weaver, the director. “It’s a heavy load for any actor. Lear pretty much feels everything a human can feel at some point.”
But he assures us, “Clark is in his prime for Lear, and I think we’re all excited to see what he does.”
Nicholson isn’t the only Harrisburg Shakespeare Company all-star you’ll see in “King Lear.” The cast and crew are beautifully constructed of local veteran actors as well as new talent. Jeff Wasileski (Gloucester), Rachel Landon (Goneril), Robert Campbell (Cornwall), Karen Ruch (props designer), and Andrew Nyberg (set designer) are just a few of the many names you’ll see listed in your program.
Weaver didn’t stop at a brilliant cast. His concept for “King Lear” makes this production unique from anything you’ve seen before. Gamut’s version is set in a Celtic, Iron-Age Britannia with “ancient Druidic practices and beliefs” serving as a “backbone to this story.”
The director specifically mentioned the character of the Fool as a key competent to his storytelling. Whereas most productions follow the classic “court jester” model for this character, Weaver leaned into the Druidic notes and has the Fool serving as a priest and seer, accompanying Lear on his journey.
“A great deal of my inspiration came from one of my favorite genres of film—folk horror.” Weaver said. “Films like ‘Midsommar’ and ‘The Wicker Man’ have greatly informed this production. It’s made for some creepy and beautiful moments!”
Speaking of “creepy and beautiful,” another important facet of this show is the fight choreography. Elizabeth Hood, also playing Edmund in the production, took months to craft fight scenes that will leave you flinching, shrieking and, ultimately, leaning in for more. Here’s your warning—there will be blood and guts. “Yay!” Or “Ew!” (depending on your personality).
Blood and guts aside, audiences will not only see a stunningly cool spectacle, but they will also leave asking questions. Or, feeling permission to ask the questions that plague us all.
“Who is it that can tell me who I am?” Lear asks. The whole play begs us to consider—who are we when everything we’ve known is stripped away from us? What is nothingness, and how does that haunt the soul?
I know—we’re giving you some great conversation topics for the way home. Regardless of their discomfort, the questions are there. Because humans are there. And humans have been trying to figure out how to be human since we started.
So, if you like sick combat, quick dialogue, spiritual connectivity or existential questioning—you’ll love Gamut Theatre’s production of “King Lear.”
See you at the theatre, where your questions aren’t answered, but expanded.
“King Lear” runs March 7 through March 29 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.gamuttheatre.org/lear or call 717-238-4111.
UPCOMING EVENTS
At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111
“King Lear”
March 7 to 29
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
“Pinocchio”
Popcorn Hat Players
March 7 to 21
Saturdays at 1 p.m.
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