With epic sweep, gods and demons, magic and curses, singing and dancing and shadow puppetry, Shakuntala is an exotic addition to the holidays for the whole family. It’s presented by HSU Theatre, Film & Dance for two weekends, beginning November 29.
Shakuntala is the tale of a noble King (Dushyanta, played by Mark Teeter) who falls in love with the half-divine orphan Shakuntala (Rose Gutierrez-Jimenez) in an isolated ashram surrounded by the magic of nature. She returns his love and they marry.
But before she can join the King at his palace, she neglects to offer the proper hospitality to a traveler, who angrily places a curse on the young bride: her new husband will not remember her.
When others persuade the traveler that this is too harsh, the curse is modified: if Shakuntala can present a token of their love to the King, he will remember everything.
This begins an epic adventure that involves nature spirits, demons and the gods as well as the young lovers. The curse afflicts the land itself, until the lovers are reunited in celebration—and with their son.
More than a thousand years old, the Shakuntala story has been performed countless times in India, including movies and an ongoing television series. But western translations are old, and more literary than dramatic. So after years of research, Margaret Kelso, playwright and chair of HSU Department of Theatre, Film & Dance, wrote an adaptation for the contemporary American stage.
For several years director and HSU professor Rae Robison has also been involved in the process of realizing it on stage. Add the original music by HSU Music chair Brian Post, and it’s a unique production of a classic seldom seen anywhere in the U.S.
With a cast of 20, many performing multiple parts, Shakuntala is colorful and romantic. “It’s fresh, fanciful, magical and fun,” said Margaret Kelso. “The essence of Shakuntala is this very sweet fairy tale—with the usual ominous complications—that everyone can enjoy, including children. It’s a family-oriented show, so it’s a nice alternative for the holidays.”
Shakuntala runs Thursdays through Saturdays November 29-December 1, and December 6 through 8 at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. Tickets from the HSU Box Office (826-3928.) Fore more information: “HSUStage.blogspot.com”: http://HSUStage.blogspot.com.