Performing Arts

Shakespeare scholars used to write whole books that speculated on the inner life of the Bard's leading characters. Although that has gone out of fashion, the great Shakespearean heroes – and heroines – still bestride the world. It takes very special actors to bring them thoroughly to life.

MARK M. HANCOCK/Special Contributor

Joanna Schellenberg and T.A. Taylor in All's Well That Ends Well

Shakespeare Dallas' All's Well That Ends Well is thus blessed to have Joanna Schellenberg as its Helena. She gives a performance of heroic dimensions that has rarely been equaled hereabouts.

Technically a comedy, All's Well has sometimes been called one of Shakespeare's problem plays because the plot sours modern audiences. Helena, the beautiful and virtuous daughter of a great physician who has recently died, has been taken in by the Countess of Rosillion (Laura Yancey). Helena has secretly fallen in love with the countess's son Bertram (Brandon J. Walker) but understands she has no realistic chance of marrying him because his social station is so much higher than hers.

But when the king of France (T.A. Taylor) falls gravely ill, Helena believes she can cure him. If she does, she can name her reward, which would be the hand of the man she loves.

All's Well feels like a medieval romance or fairy tale, with all its far-fetched, half-magical plot devices. Yet Bertram is a boyish cad along the lines of Jane Austen's villains. Most directors play up the irony and unpleasantness these days, but not Shakespeare Dallas' Rene Moreno.

Mr. Moreno plunges us into both the romance and the darkness, skipping the irony and substituting a noble elegance. As Ms. Schellenberg plays Helena, she might indeed remind you of a Jane Austen heroine – but from the dark, late Persuasion, not the breezier early books. Marco E. Salinas' sound design, with its emphasis on Chopin, and Jacob A. Climer's handsome costumes actually push us a little later into the 19th century, into the romantic world of George Sand and Dumas fils.

The show looks good and the supporting actors are strong, but that's become a given at Shakespeare Dallas. What stands out in this All's Well is the calm clarity that lets the audience understand every word and every turn of plot in a show few will have encountered before. Maturity and wisdom are underrated virtues these days, but this production should bring them back into favor.

And then, again, there's Ms. Schellenberg. What makes for a truly great interpretation of a major Shakespearean role? In this case, poise, heightened concentration, a sublime way with the language and risky emotional flights that pay off in audience involvement.

All's well in this All's Well, from beginning right to the end.

PLAN YOUR LIFE Through July 25 at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre. Runs 155 mins. $10 weekends, donation requested weekdays. 214-559-2778, www.shakespearedallas.org.

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