Two Gentlemen of Verona
Folger Theatre* • Washington, D.C.
Fiasco Theater • New York, NY
Theatre for a New Audience • Brooklyn, NY
*Winner of the 2015 Helen Hayes Award for the roles of Crab and Valentine
“Many Shakespeare analysts, a tribe not known for whimsy, seem to agree that the most intriguing figure in ‘Gentlemen’ isn’t even human, but a very shaggy dog named Crab. This production doesn’t undermine that assessment. How could it, when Crab’s flea-filled fur is inhabited so winningly by Zachary Fine (who also portrays Valentine, the other title character)?… The most persuasive love match here is between Proteus’s put-upon servant, Launce (Mr. Grotelueschen), and his dog, Crab (Mr. Fine, in a bulbous black nose, is priceless). When Launce complains about the sacrifices he makes for the love of this dog, we are certain that this guy — unlike the other characters — is enduringly sincere. And this production’s most memorable kiss is between said dog and his master. Call it puppy love, if you will, but it promises to be a far more lasting commitment than anything between frivolous, fickle human beings.” — Ben Brantley, The New York Times
“Fine is puppy-dog adorable... Lovestruck, Valentine wonders: ‘What light is light, if Sylvia be not seen? What joy is joy, if Sylvia be not by?’ He's more than just a funny Valentine. He talks the talk in this timeless tale of love's ups and downs.” — NY Daily News
