New York’s Public Theater is an awe inspiring building. And the productions are equally awe inspiring. Sunday’s performance of King Lear was my first time at the theater and also my first time seeing King Lear. What a day it was!
Someone asked me whether seeing Sam Waterston as Lear was like seeing an episode of Law & Order. Nothing can be further from the truth. Waterston was as tragic a Lear as you can get. When he talked about how his power hungry daughters, Regan and Goneril, brought him to his knees, you felt his pain. And when he walked in at the end carrying Cordelia, well, it brought a tear to my eye.
The set was minimalistic, with bare white walls and few props. But props weren’t needed because audience eyes were focused on Lear and Kent and Gloucester (played convincingly by Michael McKean of Laverne & Shirley fame). Most of the actors I had not heard of, but the cast was well chosen (although I didn’t love the Fool because he swallowed his words). Two more heartless daughters you couldn’t imagine, though.
If you can, see King Lear at the Public Theater. While I’d say treat yourself to a tragedy, it just doesn’t sound right. But treat yourself anyway.
http://www.publictheater.org/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,141/id,1038
Two Heads Together 
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