The Cast Photo by Evelyn Huynh

Two society teens and best buds of Verona, Valentine and Proteus, bemoan their upcoming separation when Valentine is off to Milan to be presented to the Duke's court. While Valentine wants Proteus to come with him, Proteus cannot bear to leave his girlfriend, Julia, for whom he professes love in the most flowery of terms. Valentine arrives in Milan, immediately to swoon over the Duke's daughter, Sylvia, who is betrothed to her dismay to a wealthy fop, Thurio.

When Proteus' father decides his son too should go to the Court to seek his fortune, the full-of-dismay Proteus first declares his eternal love for Julia (with the two exchanging "going steady" rings) and then falls head over heels at first sight for Sylvia upon arriving in Milan. So much is his turn of affection that he concocts a story to convince the Duke that his "best friend" is about to elope with the Duke's daughter, leading to Valentine's banishment to the wilds of the surrounding forest. Back in Verona, Julia is heartsick and decides to run away from home dressed as a boy in order to check on Proteus, only to find him avidly wooing Sylvia, who has absolutely no interest in him.

Such is Shakespeare's set-up for this tale of old that leads to many more twists and turns as these young teens test their boundaries, make a number of foolish mistakes, and somehow still land on their feet as young adults, finally a bit wiser (maybe). In an eighties setting where hot pink, lime green, neon yellow, and electric turquoise dominate in both set and costumes; where hair is teased, permed, and hair-sprayed into mullets, side ponytails, mall bangs, or punk spikes and mohawks; and where attire is that decade's latest in activewear, leather, preppy, or metallic club–the highly dramatic and exaggerated emotions coupled with decisions smacking of ego-centric immaturity seem totally at home. (Standing ovations are due scenic designer Kisti Christensen, costume designer Kris Lundin, hair and make-up designer Melissa Mei Jones, and props designer Leslie Todd for all their fabulous '80s looks and feels.)

Along with these exceptionally creative production team members and the myriad of clever and often hilarious directorial decisions of Thomas Gough, SVS' Two Gentlemen is awash with acting talent that manifests in teenagers whose hormones are clearly on steroids, servants who time and again nearly steal the show with their comic prowess, punk outlaws who slink and prowl through the audience and amongst the park setting's field and trees, and a cute dog that wins lots of audience hearts and "ahhs."

Stephen Sherwood is a preppy Valentine whose overflowing emotions fling from his sleeves into every part of his being even as he strives to be cool and collected trying to impress with his golf swing or as he awkwardly hides a string ladder from the Duke that he hopes to use in climbing up a balcony to serenade the Duke's sequestered daughter, Sylvia. For her part, Vivienne Truong is a bold, brash Sylvia who dresses in high-fashion leather and does not cotton to the less-mature teen admirers who fawn over her. Her finger-gagging reactions prove that is especially true for the ever-trying-to-be-hip (but always failing to be so) Thurio, an appropriately ridiculous Arturo Dirzo.

When exclaiming his undying love for Julia first to Valentine and then to the girl herself, Dan C.'s Proteus goes into half fits as he flops about, falls into a melted bundle, or flings all extremities in his declarations of adoration. But when he suddenly forgets all his promises and connives with evil intent to dump his pal and his girl in order to win over his friend's new love, he takes on devious airs while also making quite the fool of himself in front of an uninterested Sylvia.

For her part, young Julia goes into her own spasms of love expressions, at times seeming like a whirlwind of all legs and arms as she too dances about before collapsing in love's agony in ways that only teenage-hyped emotions can express. Her disguise as Sebastian is an equal hoot as she attempts to lower her voice and walk like a guy while also trying to suppress her episodes of shaking fury as she watches Proteus trying to woo and win Sylvia.

As is usually true in the Bard's comedies, tragedies, and histories, the "common" folk accompanying, observing, and mimicking the upper classes become the surprise stars of whatever story is being relayed. Such is certainly the case in this rendering of the Verona to Milan to the forest journey that these teens undertake.

In head-to-toe vibrant pink and blue, Valentine's servant, Speed, is never still nor short on puns. Katelyn Miller is a jumping jack of moves and shows a mime's genius of expressions as her Speed mocks with fun and adoring teasing her master's sudden falling for Sylvia. She is joined in friendship and folly by Proteus' manservant in his high-legged overalls, Launce, who swaps puns back-and-forth with her as the two mock the ins and outs of their masters' loves.

Tyler Paranola is particularly rib-tickling as Launce uses their shoes and their cane to describe their sobbing, kissing farewells to their family as they depart for Milan while also berating with insults galore their ultra-cute dog, Crab, for not being sympathetic enough to their sadness in leaving.

While not as slapstick in nature as these two, Sarah Griner as Julia's servant, Lucetta, leaves her mark as the watchful eye who has little patience for Julia's excessive expressions of love but who has some tongue-in-cheek glee is helping the girl switch sexes.

Maybe due mostly to the young Shakespeare still developing his skills as a playwright, the second half of the production loses some steam and focus at times, especially in this production in scenes involving the punk outlaws that Valentine meets in the forest. (Part of the issue on the night I attended was that it was the only time in the evening when lines were too-frequently dropped due to miking issues..)

A major plus in the production comes from sound designer Doll Piccotto threading throughout the evening scene-changing snippets of familiar '80s hits that are perfectly timed and hilariously appropriate. As Proteus sends Speed on his way not to miss the boat to Milan with his master, Valentine, The Clash's "Should I Go or Should I Stay" sends him off. Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is the finale to Speed and Launce's mimics about their masters' love affairs, while Devo's "She's Just a Girl" accompanies Proteus' back-and-forth debate with himself whether to love Julia or Sylvia. A number of other songs, from The Pointer Sisters' "I'm So Excited," Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," and The J. Geils Band's "Love Stinks" pop up in just the right spots to draw chuckles from the audience.

Altogether, these song selections and placements are a highlight of an already very enjoyable evening of an '80s-and-Shakespeare mash-up as Silicon Valley Shakespeare kicks off its summer season with a much-recommended Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Two Gentlemen of Verona runs through June 28, 2026, at Silicon Valley Shakespeare at Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park, 1320 Willow Street, San Jose CA. Admission is free. For information, please visit www.svshakespeare.org