by Tony Annicone

Welcome to yesteryear with Trinity Rep’s fourth show of their 58th season. The show is Sueno, which is based on Life is a Dream, an old Spanish Golden age classic play. It contains all the elements of an adventure show, including many laughs mixed with love, betrayal, revenge, dreams and forgiveness. At Trinity Rep, the show is presented as a Telenovela. It’s hilarious, but with some serious ideas to ponder as well. After the birth of his son, King Basilio (who believes in astrology) banishes his newborn son, Segismundo, to be imprisoned in a tower for life because he caused the death of his mother. He perceives this as an omen that his son will destroy his kingdom. Translated, ‘Sueno’ means ‘great desire’ – which is felt by relatives when the show fast forwards to 25 years later. Estrella and Astolfo appear on the scene to take over the kingdom but eventually learn that Segismundo is to be released from prison. Basilio tests his son twice with dismal results as the imprisoned son fights with a soldier and falls immediately in love with a servant girl. Segismundo ends up back in the tower where he ruminates about his plight. Things turn on a dime with some astonishing sword fights while the audience is surprised at the sudden turn of events and lessons about nature and nurture. Director Tatanya-Marie Carlo casts this show splendidly and elicits marvelous performances from her nine-member cast. The flamenco music also adds to the flavor of this play. A word of praise to Patrick Lynch for his astounding turntable set of the palace and a tower prison, to Shahrzad Mazaheri for beautiful and intricate costumes and especially to Mark A. Rose for his energetic and brilliant fight choreography which makes these segments mesmerize you.

Read more “Trinity Rep’s ‘Sueno’ a Superb Dramedy”