Masqueraders breathe enjoyable new life into ‘The Mad Lover’ at U.S. Naval Academy

The U.S. Naval Academy Masqueraders’ manufacturing of The Mad Lover is an formidable recreation of a forgotten Seventeenth-century basic comedy by John Fletcher. A recent and writing accomplice of William Shakespeare, Fletcher, although now obscure, was the preferred playwright of his time. The Mad Lover follows General Memnon as he falls head over heels in love with Princess Calis. Memnon’s fellow soldier Siphax additionally falls in love with Calis, convincing his sister Cleanthe to assist him marry the princess. Meanwhile, Calis falls for Memnon’s brother Polidor, whereas retired soldier and rogue Chilax has her personal adventures. Disguised girls, musical performances, faux deaths, and the looks of Venus comply with. Directed by Michael M. Wagoner, it brings enjoyable, fashionable touches to an previous comedy.

Joel Thomas performs Memnon with an depth. Desperately in love with Calis (Shekinah Jaze), he grasps her, demanding her affection; his troopers have to tug him away. He factors his sword threateningly at one in every of his troopers who dares suggest one other solution to woo Calis. Mourning somebody, he drops to his knees, pushing Calis away when she additionally tries to precise her grief.

Shekinah Jaze brings a power to Calis. She mocks Memnon’s protestations of affection, joking when he can not converse. Falling for Polidor (Eli Mahfood), she dotes on his offended phrases, admiring how properly spoken he’s.

Jayden Mueller brings a calmness to Siphax, Memnon’s fellow officer, that at occasions feels sinister. Seeing Memnon contemplate suicide, he causes with him to rethink. He urges Cleanthe (Gracelyn Tramba), Calis’ attendant and his sister, to assist manipulate Calis into marrying him. As the Priest of Venus, he’s easygoing and lustful, eagerly hooking up with Chilax (Meghan Trumble).

Meghan Trumble brings an earthy sensuality to Chilax, ingesting from bottles she finds below the stage and taking pleasure the place she will be able to. She has a raunchy scene with the Priest, fondling his robes earlier than pulling him to the altar and sensually whipping him. She provides a humorous impression of Memnon, making foolish calls for. When he threatens her, she cleverly finds a solution to escape.

Gracelyn Tramba performs Cleanthe with a confidence. Protective of Calis, she comes between her and Memnon when he’s too threatening. She strikes Siphax for placing her in such an ungainly place, but she maneuvers Calis into marrying him. As a Whore, she speaks with a Long Island accent, aping royal manners till being frightened. As Venus, she is assured, calmly giving recommendation to the tangled scenario.

Luke Germani performs Stremon the musical soldier with a laid-back authority. Singing two songs to Memnon to appease him, he briefly dominates the stage, then simply as shortly exits. As King Astorax, he has a quiet imperial air, giving instructions and listening to Memnon’s story of his victories.

Christine Browne brings a stoic knowledge to the Fool, explaining her philosophy at the same time as Chilax beats and mistreats her. As she speaks, Ella Biebl as Picus acts it out, whereas additionally making an attempt to swipe Chilax’s bottles. Addisson Vandi brings a protectiveness to Lucippe, Calis’ different attendant, making an attempt to intervene between Memnon and Calis. As a Surgeon, she is shocked at Memnon’s order, making an attempt to remain calm. As Cloe, Siphax’s earlier lover, she is decided to get one thing for her time and sacrifice with him.

Set Designer Dani Bocanegra provides the stage a basic really feel, with a big marble amphitheater within the middle and three lined doorways. At the highest is a big bust of Venus. Costume Designer Sondra Duplantis recreates historical Rome, with troopers in pink centurion uniforms, noblemen in purple or blue togas, and noblewomen in lengthy clothes. Lower-class girls put on less complicated tunics. One scene has animal masks and a tree costume.

Light Board Operator Ethan Shackelford flashes lightning for Venus’ look, whereas shining a highlight on the beginning of one in every of Memnon’s soliloquies and bringing the lights onto Chilax throughout her comedian impression of Memnon. Sound Board Operator Samantha Engreso throws out music, comparable to the beginning of “Careless Whisper” when the characters fall in love at first sight, in addition to the music for the characters’ songs.

Composer Jess Keyes creates fashionable pop melodies for the play’s a number of songs, bringing a recent really feel to Seventeenth-century music. Director Michael M. Wagoner brings connections to Shakespeare’s works to the fore, with Memnon giving a comic book tackle one in every of Hamlet’s soliloquies and Chilax taking over a Puck-like function in manipulating and gathering different characters. While holding monitor of all of the completely different plots can at occasions really feel overwhelming (this system helpfully features a abstract of the primary half), the actors’ enthusiasm is infectious. They hit all the fitting comedian moments, bringing plenty of laughs from the viewers. The Masqueraders deserve kudos for respiratory new life into this uncared for play.

Running Time: Two hours and 45 minutes, together with one 20-minute intermission.

The Mad Lover performs November 21 and 22, 2025, offered by the USNA Masqueraders acting at Mahan Auditorium on the United States Naval Academy – 121 Blake Road, Annapolis, MD. Purchase tickets ($16.75) online. For those that can not drive onto the yard, enter at Gate 1, on the finish of King George Street, then catch a shuttle from Gate 1 to Mahan. Photo ID is required.

The Mad Lover
By John Fletcher
Directed by Michael M. Wagoner

Eli Mahfood performs Polidor and Joel Thomas performs Memnon