Through their wit, humor and talent, the UA Theater group captured the hearts of audiences with their final production, Two Gentleman of Verona. Every element seemed to come together as this wonderful company took the stage. Although the design elements of the play were exceptional, it was the personalities of the actors and actresses that made this play a jewel and treasure.

    This play was one of the hardest to critique because I feel that every member of the cast deserves some praise. Yet, the stand-out characters were those that took the extra step to involve the audience and make them laugh. Michael Freeman was one of these exceptional cast members. Freeman’s personality and tone was reminiscent of Elvis Presley in his prime - he had all the women swooning and the men wishing that they had his voice. Freeman captured the personality of his pining character in an authentic way and made the audience laugh with his signature dance moves. I felt he had the best overall voice and acting skills.

    Yet, Freeman’s foil, Proteus, played by Steven Tyler Davis, also shined during his performance in Two Gentleman of Verona. As the antagonist of the play, Proteus should be hated for his deceit and treachery, but the talent of Steven Tyler Davis made this character endearing. Although his expressions were over the top at times, his voice and humor brought the character to life. I believe Davis is a versatile actor, and this performance proves that.

    As far as acting ability, Ben Holmes stole the stage with his performance as Launce, reminding me of a court jester with his slap-stick comedy. His face and personality was perfect for the role, and his humor kept the audience laughing throughout the play. Even his high-pitched voice added to the character development of Launce. For example, during “Love’s Revenge,” Holmes held a flat note for roughly a minute, which had the audience cracking up the whole time. He could easily be called a comic genius with his quick wit and hilarious bits. Overall, I thought Holmes stood out among all the actors on stage and took home the hearts of the audience.

    Dominating the feminine side of the stage was actress Maegan McNerney, who plays Julia. As a spunky, head-strong woman, Julia was able to show her strength, even in the face of Proteus’s cheating. Despite some pitch problems at the beginning, McNerney’s voice was powerful on stage, and her acting ability was apparent. She was not as endearing as the male characters, but overall, I felt she conveyed her character’s personality well.

    One actress that did not receive much time in the spotlight was Sara Catherine Thomason, who played Lucetta. Although she played only a minor character, Thomason had depth and strength in her voice when she sang, “I Come from the Land of Betrayal.” I felt that Thomason deserved more stage time because her voice was so strong, and wish that she would have had more of a role.

    Overall, in my opinion, this show was the best of the year for the University Theater productions. As a musical, it had a light feeling that made the play fun, and was a nice contrast to the more serious tones of the other productions throughout the year. I believe Two Gentleman of Verona earned the standing ovation that it received, and thanks to the outstanding cast and wonderful design elements, it will remain a UA classic for this year.