The Malcontent at Deaf West Theatre

The Malcontent

Deaf West Theatre
5112 Lankershim Blvd. Los Angeles

Marston's viciously funny Jacobean masterpiece. The true Duke of Genoa has lost his throne to the usurper Pietro. The Duke returns to court the disguise of Malevole: a professional cynic who castigates the corruptions of the greedy, sex-mad, politically fickle court, to regain his rightful office (and his wife!) Resonating with echos of MEASURE FOR MEASURE and HAMLET, Marston's tragicomedy is a fabulous study of intrigue, lust and betrayal.

Presented by The Antaeus Company

Thru - Jun 19, 2011

Thursdays: 8:00pm

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 8:00pm

Sundays: 2:30pm

Show Type: Drama

Box Office: 818-762-2773

www.deafwest.org

The Malcontent Reviews

Average Rating based on 6 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Los Angeles Times - Recommended

"...The events leading up to that denouément would challenge the synthesizing skills of a CliffsNotes preparer. But Swain's effervescent staging anchors the action, while the skillful cast, cavorting in A. Jeffrey Schoenberg's sumptuous period costumes, handles Marston's crackling language with rare facility. Granted, the Antaeus veterans nail down their laughs more consistently than the younger actors, but all fit seamlessly into Swain's comical construct. In a program note, Cullum refers to the play as a "Jacobean poetry slam." It's an apt description for this bawdy, waggish and surprisingly contemporary evening."

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- F. Kathleen Foley

LA Weekly - Highly Recommended

"...While Foxworth's splenetic cynic is all fire and spit, it is DeOcampo as the treacherous toadying villain -- utterly contemporary in his sociopathic me-ism -- who drives the comedy. In addition to Doerr's artfully finessed Pietro, the accomplished ensemble includes Lynn Milgrim as an unprincipled procuress and John Achorn as a clueless courtier prepared to pimp his wife and daughter-in-law. Designer Tom Buderwitz's handsome set replicates the Blackfriars Theater in which the play first premiered, while A. Jeffrey Schoenberg's costumes add dashing flavor to the farce."

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- Deborah Klugman

Backstage - Highly Recommended

"...John Marston's 1604 play gets a rare airing in this double-cast production that evidences some of the finest theater-making in Los Angeles. In it, the overthrown Duke Altofront of Genoa assumes the disguising persona of Malevole the malcontent, a professional cynic. This gives Altofront the opportunity, and freedom, to do and say anything necessary while remaining remarkably witty, to verbally manipulate those wrongfully in power until they implode and fall. Frankly, we'd rather watch him continue his linguistic barrage than see him return to power as the duke, but the Genoese need him back."

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- Dany Margolies

Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended

"...Penned by John Marston in 1604, The Malcontent proves to be all but a bore. Lewd and satirical and funny as hell, the portrayals are witty and the proceedings are swell."

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- Tony Frankel

Stage Scene LA - Highly Recommended

"...Despite the convolutions of Marston's intricate plot and the often archaic phraseology of four-century-old English, Swain and her actors do their darnedest to insure clarity to contemporary audiences. The broadness of certain performances wouldn't seem out of place in Spamalot, but it keeps audience attention high where a subtler approach might not."

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- Steven Stanley

StageHappenings.com - Recommended

"...Apparently, Marston was satirizing the new Scottish court of King James I, albeit subtly. So the references are long outdated (don't even try and make connections), but the play allows for terrific character parts that is the greatest strength Antaeus has to offer. That, plus superb dramaturgy and direction. As adapted and directed by Elizabeth Swain, the play moves right along, on a gorgeous set designed of warm-gold wood and red/gold tapestry by Tom Buderwitz and clothed in period-perfect costumes, designed by A. Jeffrey Schoenberg. Special mention must be made to the original score by Peter Bayne, sounds that are arguably authentic to early 17th Century; a treat for the ears and one that helps us follow the quick ups-and-downs of the convoluted plot."

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- Dale Reynolds

This show has been Jeff Recommended*

*The designation of "Jeff Recommended" is given to a production when at least ONE ELEMENT of the show was deemed outstanding by the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee.

The Malcontent at Deaf West Theatre

The Malcontent

The Malcontent Reviews

Los Angeles Times - Recommended

LA Weekly - Highly Recommended

Backstage - Highly Recommended

Stage and Cinema - Highly Recommended

Stage Scene LA - Highly Recommended

StageHappenings.com - Recommended

This show has been Jeff Recommended*

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