APT's 'Gentlemen' of Verona is a triumphant musical adaptation

Charles Payne, Isthmus

In American Players Theatre’s exhilarating production of The Two “Gentlemen” of Verona, the quotation marks around "gentlemen" caught my eye before the first song even began. Those air quotes pose a central question: Are Shakespeare’s young heroes truly “gentlemen,” or are they simply miseducated young men trying out adulthood, learning difficult lessons about love, loyalty, and forgiveness?

Artfully adapted and directed by Aaron Posner, with music and lyrics by Greg Kotis, this inventive reimagining transforms one of Shakespeare’s earliest and most uneven comedies into a joyous Southern Americana-infused theatrical event, blending bluegrass, folk and musical theater influences. The result is not an attempt to change Shakespeare's play, but to embrace its youthful imperfections and to reveal the crux of the story.

From the moment I entered the Hill Theatre, I was welcomed into a distinctly Southern setup. String lights hang above a porch occupied by musicians tuning their instruments. The band remains visible throughout the performance, functioning as both musical accompaniment and active storyteller. The music is the engine that drives the evening, and Kotis’ score does more than provide entertaining interludes. The songs become extensions of the characters' emotional lives, amplifying both the exhilaration and confusion of that thing called love.

In Posner’s director’s note, he describes the production as possessing "the brash and bold energy of youth." Rather than approaching the play as a fully formed romantic comedy, Posner treats it as a story about young people overwhelmed by feelings they do not yet know how to manage. His approach reframes what otherwise might appear to be plot inconsistencies as emotional immaturity. The characters make questionable decisions because they are inexperienced. Their judgment is clouded by the vigor of their youth.

As Shakespeare's first comedy, The Two Gentlemen of Verona contains many ingredients that later appear in stronger works: disguises, mistaken identities, comedic servants, rebellious lovers, and adventures in the wilderness. What it lacks is the sophistication Shakespeare would eventually bring to those elements. Posner recognizes this weakness and wisely leans into it. Rather than smoothing the rough edges, he allows the story’s unpredictability and emotional volatility to become part of its charm.

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