“Poor Poor Lear” Is Rich With Contrast

By Wes Hessel with Flo Mano

Walkabout Theater Company is back in the Windy City at Chopin Theatre, with their inaugural production from the troupe’s founding 27 years ago. The show was penned by founder Nina Sallinen and original director Katja Krohn, directed by co-founder Kristen Schmidt, and starring Ms. Sallinen and a different each night actor to be named later (in other words, when you get there).

The experience begins with a unique preamble door entrance in waiting area, where the players interact with the audience coming in, sincerely asking names, giving a feel of comfort, familiarity, and wonder. Then you enter the immersive living room set where the performance is primarily by this talented genius lady. Nina has everyone hanging from her words, under her magnetic trance of fragility and power, playing you in her fingers, keeping all intrigued with humor and we-are-seen-as-we-see-her eye contact. She moves so smoothly in an improvised way, she is the script, the words flowing colloquially, colorfully, with a gamut of expression and emotion while the theatergoers ride the rollercoaster. The “intermission”, even, is a short interlude, more like a pause in between acts of a dance performance.

“Poor, Poor Lear” lives up to their vision of innovation, exploration, connection to community, and unique space, but this one-of-a-kind Shakespeare riff dark comedy only runs until this Sunday, March 15th. Do not miss the opportunity to take in this experience – go now to www.chopintheatre.com for tickets or more information.

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