What happens in Verona...(Kentucky Shakespeare Festival)
- stagedoorlouisville
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Two Gentlemen of Verona
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Matt Wallace
Review by Kate Barry
Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
Two fellows endure maddening whims of love in Sin City. Things get complicated fast as promises are broken, identities are hidden and banishments are made. Kentucky Shakespeare Festival current production of Two Gentlemen of Verona has loads of camp, Vegas glamor and a dog!
The play fully embraces the aesthetic of the Las Vegas strip in the 1940s. The set is adorned with twinkling lights with Verona and Milan ever present in large eye catching signs, reminiscent of the likes of Bellagio or the Golden Nugget. Once again, Donna Lawrence Downs costumes deserve praise. She has proven a strong summer season of costuming with exquisite craftsmanship. The pinstripe suits are fitted and textured with wingtip shoes as a fantastic detail. The bold, brightly colored gowns flow and move with ease as ladies of court mingle and waitresses serve shots. Old Hollywood comes to mind in the forms of pink robes with large sleeves adorned with feathers and black and white zoot suits with red accents and matching hat. The spunky, playful costumes enhance the overall lighthearted shenanigans suffered by Valentine and Proteus.
As the titular two gentlemen, Justin Jackson and Crystian Wiltshire’s Valentine and Proteus share the experience of falling in love with almost conflicting execution. While Jackson’s Valentine is devoted and determined to win the heart of his fair Sylvia, Wiltshire’s Proteus is flakey and fickle. Jackson and Wiltshire provide comedic performances that prove the ridiculous things people do for love. Although he has promised himself to his fair Julia, a bubbly flittering turn by Kate Drury, Wiltshire’s Proteus is frivolous with little forethought into his actions. On the other hand, Jackson’s Valentine makes large heroic gestures in efforts to right wrongs with Sylvia’s father, the Duke performed with literal Brando type of intensity by John Huffman.
Razaria Denae Copeland’s Sylvia is poised and graceful as the object of Valentine’s desires. She is confident and steady regardless of Proteus’ attempts to woo. Neill Robertson’s Turio provides a nearly exasperated attempt to win the hand of Sylvia as well. Robertson brings a pompous arrogance yet very little recognition to who Sylvia really loves providing from some great comedic moments.
While Valentine and Proteus fumble through love, their lackey’s Launce and Speed share quips and wax philosophical. Gregory Maupin’s take on Speed is a keen clown. It is a comedic performance enhanced with a quick witted delivery and expert physical bits. Each line felt fresh yet irreverent and serves all comedic tastes. Mollie Murk’s Launce displays a gentler, more affectionate point of view of love with the help of Crab, an obedient appearance by Tilly. Murk and Maupin’s Launce and Speed toss line delivery like a vaudeville act with effortless energy and timing.
Two Gentlemen of Verona is a comedy you do not want to miss. With zany antics and two love stories that just barely arrive at a happy ending, the foolish happenings in this Shakespearean comedy are only appropriate for the Vegas strip. And you know what they say, what happens in Verona…
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Part of Kentucky Shakespeare’s Festival in Central Park
July 2-26, 2026
C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheatre in Old Louisville's Central Park
1340 South Fourth Street
Louisville, KY 40208