Fans of Evanston author Richard Engling’s 2023 comedian novel about Chicago theater, Give My Regards to Nowhere, can be delighted to be taught that he has written a comply with-up that can be out there March 22 in print and book editions audio variations.
The rollicking sequel, Romeo and Juliet Keep Their Eyes on the Prize (Polarity Ensemble Books), lovingly pokes enjoyable at the backstage world of squabbling actors, newbie wannabes, dilapidated phases, monetary crises, and chaotic rehearsals which will or might not result in theatrical magic.
The story continues the adventures of Dwayne Finnegan, the typically good, typically hapless inventive director of the Psychedelic Dream Theater, as he struggles to mount a recent manufacturing of theater’s most well-known romance.
Naturally, comedian obstacles abound. Dwayne needs the Goodman Theatre’s inventive director to see the present and possibly rent him, however will get the chilly shoulder. As all the time, he’s in need of money. His good friend Chaz, recent from a divorce after an affair with Coco, the firm’s resident diva, will get concerned with a mortgage shark. Coco’s father needs an element in the play. Dwayne’s spouse Angela needs a child, which supplies him a couple of type of efficiency nervousness. His main women are at one another’s throats. And a wacky group of spiritualists who like psychedelic medicine begin a turf conflict with Dwayne over the rehearsal area. Will all of it finish in tragedy?
Engling is aware of this panorama nicely. He has an extended historical past of appearing, writing and directing in Chicago and was inventive director of Polarity Ensemble Theater for greater than a decade in the early 2000s, launching new performs in addition to recent variations of traditional works.
He finds comedian gold in some unlikely locations. A self-assist e-book referred to as Keep Your Eyes on the Prize turns into Dwayne’s bible, from which he garners slogans like “winner boats rise together” and “get it in gear.” Unfortunately he brings up the slogans at the mistaken instances inflicting some awkward moments, and laughter for the reader.
In a hilarious episode, Dwayne instantly has to fill in for an absent actor however can’t keep in mind his strains and begins making up stuff. The creator narrates the complete disastrous scene, as tragedy turns into farce. One of the classes we find out about theater is that you’ve to have the ability to improvise – and typically the unplanned moments are the most memorable.
It’s a problem to search out novelty in a chestnut like Romeo and Juliet, for each Engling and Dwayne. He revitalizes the present with dwell rock music, racially aware casting, a queer Mercutio, and a horny nurse who manages to upstage Juliet.
Still, this sequel lacks a bit of the fizz of Give My Regards and replays a few of its situations (however hey, you possibly can say the identical factor about Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part Two). The tradeoff is the enjoyable of reuniting with acquainted mates and watching them get into new mischief.
I’m trying ahead to seeing what Dwayne and his Psychedelic Dream Theatre stage subsequent. Knowing that Engling as soon as ran the Dionysos Cup Festival of New Plays in Chicago, I can think about them shifting to the uncharted territory of a recent work. I’ll positively purchase a ticket for that present.