Latreshia Lilly and Tom Weaver. Photo by John Bivins Photography.
One proof of Shakespeare’s enduring influence on our perception of history is the character of Richard III. We all know Richard is a shuffling, hand-wringing hunchback with lanky black hair, a sallow complexion and an ugly sneer.
We are all wrong.
While the historical Richard did have scoliosis, he was not, as an analysis of the remains discovered in 2012 confirmed, a grotesque figure. What made Richard monstrous was not his body but his conscience—more precisely, his lack of one.
Director Jeff Luttermoser has been working on “Richard III” for many years now, first as a high school English teacher and now as theatrical practitioner. As he pointed out, “Richard’s disability is more accurately described as an inability. He seems not just unwilling but unable to sympathize with the feelings of those around him.”
This is, as Luttermoser said, an advantage for a man who is determined to be king despite the four people yet living who stand between him and the throne—his brothers and his nephews.
“It makes me wonder about power and morality,” Luttermoser said. “If you want power—as many characters in the play do—does that mean you have to become amoral (even if not necessarily immoral)? Do you have to set aside your ideas of right and wrong to get what you want?”
That question could be what made this play his students’ favorite year after year—or more likely “it’s all of the murder.” Luttermoser watched his students gleefully construct a “Hunger Games”–style death board to keep track of who was killed and then listened when they demanded to know why “Richard III” isn’t produced more often.
He had already been cutting the play to make it shorter, more comprehensible, less convoluted. He judiciously changed archaic words that obscured meaning, working to highlight the plot, the people and their relationships to one another. His students naturally appreciated this shorter, plot-focused version of “Richard III,” and then Luttermoser, who had come to teaching after many years working in theater, realized that his cut made it an ideal play for Shakespeare in the Park.
What if, he wondered, he could direct an under-two-hour show that was also easily digestible and accessible and enjoyable for the audience? Wouldn’t that make it a perfect park show? Shakespeare’s plays were originally produced in the open air for a hugely diverse audience.
“These plays were meant to be enjoyed by the whole community, not just the chosen few,” Luttermoser said. “The park show should aim to do the same.”
And while there will still be plenty of murder and politics in this production (naturally, inevitably), there is also much beauty and love and joy. “Richard III” is about power and how it impacts those who have it or desire it or live beneath it—and all the things humans do or think or say or feel in regards to power. But it’s also about resilience. England is just coming out of a long and complicated civil war. Some people are looking to take advantage of the lingering unrest, but there are even more people trying to rebuild—not just their country but themselves.
The villainy of Richard is so dramatic and compelling, it’s easy to forget that this is also a play about family and sacrifice and love, a play filled with light and depth and complexity and humanity. The brilliance of Shakespeare is his knack for capturing the universal elements of human nature and ingraining them into his characters and stories. That’s why his plays are still being produced in parks all around the world.
These parks include Harrisburg’s own Reservoir Park. This June, pack a picnic, bring a chair, and as the summer sun sets behind the bandshell, watch as Richard grasps for power as he staggers toward a bloody end.
“Richard III” runs June 2 to June 17 at the bandshell in Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, with shows Wednesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Shakespeare in the Park is always free, and Gamut recommends that patrons bring a chair or blanket for seating, and come early to claim a great spot. They will also be accepting canned goods for the Bethesda Mission. For more information, visit www.gamuttheatre.org/fsip.
UPCOMING EVENTS
At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111
Free Shakespeare in the Park
“Richard III”
June 2 to 17
TMI Improv
June 23
At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736
“Poirot Investigates!”
A comedy starring Agatha Christie’s famous detective
Now to June 17
Court Street Cabaret
Comedy Edition
June 9, 10, 16, 17 at 9 p.m.
Black NewsBeat with Dr. Kimeka Campbell
June 14 & 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Join the studio audience for an episode taping.
OSHKids Summer Theatre Camp
“The Wizard of Oz”
June 8 to 30
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