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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Richard III Also see Gil's reviews of The Pillowman, Eureka Day and Pippin
Set during the Wars of the Roses, the play follows Richard, Duke of Gloucester, as he schemes his way toward the English throne. Determined to overcome the obstacles he believes stand between him and power, Richard manipulates allies, eliminates rivals, and betrays even those closest to him. His ruthless ambition initially seems unstoppable, but as his list of enemies grows and his support begins to crumble, the man who so skillfully orchestrated others' downfalls finds himself facing the consequences of his own actions. In Richard III, Shakespeare explores the seductive nature of power, along with ambition, corruption, and how easily public perception can be manipulated–all areas that are extremely relevant in today's political environment. Also, Richard's direct conversations with the audience seemingly make us all accomplices to his schemes while the fact that Richard is intelligent and charismatic but also somewhat reprehensible creates an uneasy fascination with the character. The play is the conclusion to Shakespeare's series of history plays that chronicle the Wars of the Roses, and, like Macbeth, it portrays a ruler whose hunger for power ultimately becomes his undoing, while Shakespeare's exploration of deception and suffering the consequences of one's actions echoes themes found throughout many of his tragedies. At the center of the production is Richard himself, a character who is a perfect intersection of charm, cunning, and cruelty, along with occasional flashes of dark humor. Keath Hall beautifully brings the necessary force and larger than life personality to this complex role, making Richard's manipulations compelling even when his actions are horrifying. His ability to engage the audience as he converses with us lets the audience better understand how the character can repeatedly win others over despite his horrific actions. While Richard is the center of the piece, there are strong female characters who surround him, and the three actresses who portray them are wonderful. Playing both Queen Margaret and the Duchess of York, Debra Ann Byrd is a force to be reckoned with. As Margaret, the widow of Henry VI, Byrd commands attention as she places curses on Richard and his allies that foreshadow the destruction to come. Amy Searcy projects determination as Queen Elizabeth, the wife of King Edward IV who finds herself increasingly vulnerable as Richard's schemes threaten her family and the safety of her children. As Anne, the widow of Edward, Michelle Luz demonstrates both strength and confusion when she finds herself an early victim of Richard's manipulation. As the Duke of Buckingham, one of Richard's most important allies, David Lorello has a cunning sensibility, showing a man who assists to orchestrate the political maneuvering that helps Richard's plan to succeed. Ben Rojek oozes vulnerability and misplaced trust as Richard's brother, George, Duke of Clarence, and Owen Rapkoch projects a strong sense of duty and power as Richmond, who emerges as the leader of the forces opposing Richard and who represents the possibility of restoring stability to England. J. Kevin Tallent excels in two smaller roles, including Edward IV, Richard III's older brother and the reigning king of England, when the play begins. Chris Cook, Payten Christopher McLeod, Braden Wahl, Marco Monacchio, and Eric Mitchell each deliver strong performances as various noblemen whom Richard turns against or as Richard's agents, who carry out his order. Elise Migacz and Pearl Guerriere are both bright as the two Princes. Beau Heckman's direction embraces the excitement of Shakespeare's drama, ensuring his cast convey Shakespeare's language and situations effectively, and his staging maintains momentum while also allowing the characters' relationships to develop and Richard's plot to unfurl with appropriate tension. The creative elements are superb, including Tiana Torrilhon-Wood's gorgeous set, Cora Epton's exquisite costumes, Stacey Walston's beautiful lighting, and Peter Bish's evocative sound design, with some amazing projections from Jacob Nichols, that all combine to create an effective landscape for the plot to unwind. Rachelle Dart's superb fight choreography gives the physical confrontations energy, precision, and impact. Richard III at Southwest Shakespeare Company makes for an engaging showcase for Shakespeare's storytelling, combining Keath Hall's commanding performance with an accomplished ensemble, polished technical elements, and confident direction. It brings fresh vitality to a classic tale of ambition and betrayal, reminding us why the Bard's works, including this exploration of power and human nature, continue to resonate. Richard III runs through October 24, 2026, at Southwest Shakespeare Company, with performances at the Mesa Arts Center, at 1 East Main Street, Mesa AZ. For tickets and information, please visit swshakespeare.org or call 480-644-6500. Director: Beau Heckman Cast: |
