Talking Horse Productions is on the theatrical cusp of answering the question: What if Shakespeare had written "The Godfather?”
Directed by Terry Schoonover, Corleone: The Shakespearean Godfather is scheduled to take center stage for eight performances only from February 13-23.
The masterful play finds the Corleone family at the top of the New York crime food chain, with Vito Corleone as the head of the family and a heaping helping of iambic pentameter thrown in for good measure.
Playwright David Mann has incorporated all the key elements from the movie "The Godfather" into a 90-minute script, performed by nine actors playing all the roles.
"The impulse to write Corleone came from my keen interest in making Shakespeare exciting and accessible to the widest possible audience," Mann explained. "After years of directing, acting, and adapting Shakespeare's plays, I embarked on the challenge of actually writing one. It has been so gratifying to see theater companies from Chicago to Vancouver explore the play, and now I'm thrilled to see Talking Horse share Corleone with their audience. Terry Schoonover's passion and commitment to my play resulted in his own spectacular production a few years ago, and I'm so grateful that his fervent advocacy for this crazy experiment has now brought the play to Columbia."
Inspired by the highly unique opportunity to combine The Bard's voice with this infamous cinematic tale of organized crime, the ensemble cast features a Who's Who of Central Missouri talent, including Chris Bowling, Adam Brietzke, Colin Gardner, Trent Ludwig, Matthew Neff, Lanie Novack, Carmiña Pendley, Kelson Rosbach and Clifton Satterfield.
"The story manages to flow from scene to scene rather seamlessly," said Schoonover. “Theatergoers will find the light-hearted comedic moments with slapstick elements, as well as high-tension dramatic moments, consistent with a story about gangsters and ascension to power."
With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Schoonover also proclaimed, "The audience will be given an offer they CANST not refuse."
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