WLS Review: "Two Gentlemen Of Verona"

What could be better than seeing ANYONE BUT ME’s Rachael Hip-Flores on a New York stage doing Shakespeare?  It would be seeing her doing Shakespeare as a boy, of course!  These are just a few of the delicious treats in the juicy gender-bending production of "Two Gentlemen Of Verona" now playing at the TBG Theatre (312 West 36th Street) in New York City. 

Of course in Shakespeare’s time, women could not appear on stage, and therefore men would portray women’s roles.  This production harkens back to that time as men play women,  but it also spins that anachronism on its ear as it features women playing men’s roles, particularly the two “Gentlemen” mentioned in the title.  It takes a scrutinizing look at how we perceive love, lust, friendship, loyalty, and betrayal. What follows is a presentation that is traditional, yet revolutionary.  It is conventional, yet groundbreaking.  It is simple yet complicated. 

Indie Soap Winner Hip-Flores aptly fills the role of Valentine, a misunderstood boy whose love for the beautiful Sylvia leads him to be exiled and banished.  She manages to bring to the stage all the angst, hormones, and delirium of being a teenage boy desperately and blindly in love while delivering Shakepeare’s words with haunting authenticity.  She is surrounded by an enthusiastic ensemble who embrace the alternative spin on this historical piece.  Most notably, Marie Bridget Dunson commands respect and authority as the Duke of Milan, and Alexandra Devin steals every seen as the beggar Lance (with her real-life dog Candide!). 

There are only a few performances left of this unique show, so don’t waste any time before purchasing tickets.  For those coming from out of town, it is conveniently located two blocks away from Penn Station, and eight short blocks from Port Authority.  Don’t miss out on your chance to see rising star Hip-Flores and in this original and innovative production today!


Press here to get tickets for this show closing August 22nd! 
Read Part One and Two of our recent interview with Indie Soap Winner Rachael Hip-Flores.
Help ANYONE BUT ME come back for a third season by pressing here.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist seeing individuals and couples in New York City at Mental Health Counseling & Marriage And Family Therapy Of New York. He is also the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve."