Folger's 'Timon of Athens,' a dark tale

 
Ian Merrill Peakes is surrounded by creditors in Timon of Athens now at the Folger/Photo by Theresa Wood


If this is a difficult William Shakespeare play, those watching at the Folger Theatre never let on, for they sat in rapt suspension on the edges of their seats, glued to the manipulations and greed of "friends" on stage who surround Timon of Athens. 

Timon is the sun around whom mankind swirls until it doesn't.

By a series of stealthy, slow motions, the evildoers abandon their money source, Timon, when they learn they cannot extract more from him who gives to them willfully, while he ignores warning signs from the only truthful person of the lot, his faithful steward, Flavius, who observes Timon's soaring debts.

"Every man has his fault, and honesty is his," claims Lucullus, one of the users. 

 And then what? 

Will his pals dole out a wee bit to help their friend survive after all he has given to them? 

Not on their lives.

“Has friendship such a faint and milky heart, It turns in less than two nights?” a servant asks. 

When truth finally arrives as Flavius foretold, Timon cannot take it any more and escapes to the forest to seek solace, find answers, and berate himself, all the while experiencing increasing enmity of all that is mankind.

"Timon will to the woods, where he shall find
Th’unkindest beast more kinder than mankind," he says

But even in solitude, in the woods, his pessimism prevails to envelop nature's beauty which Timon is unable to see, consumed by his detest of all things living. In his new environment he projects man's dishonesty and deceit upon his surroundings.

Has it come to this?

 Ian Merrill Peakes stars in Timon of Athens now at the Folger/Photo by Theresa Wood

At Opera Lafayette last night I actually met a misanthrope like Timon!  One I never would have recognized had I had not seen the play and read more about the man.  I was stunned to realize these people actually exist. (Call me naive.) She, a scientist for EPA (is it any wonder?), who said to a stranger she could never see a play again because all human beings are the same, lowlifes and cunning, who take her down.  ("Down"?  Further than she is?)  

Back to "make believe" at the Folger: Robert Richmond directs Ian Merrill Peakes as Timon in a knockout performance.

The play's futuristic, colored lighting in strings of squares and rectangles (by Andrew Griffin) outline the dark, stark set (by Tony Cisek) which is designed like a cold, bizarre space ship, the inside of a tomb, lacking any color save the blue coats (the tomb's quilted linings) worn by unearthly beings on the make, occupiers of the premises. 

Haunting sounds full of tension and edge (by Matt Otto)  echo throughout this underground aboveground.

Why host one of the master's most unpopular plays? An unfinished play, too.  It's not all about the money.

This town is full of Shakespeare lovers, and the near sellouts of the remaining play nights are proof.

According to program notes, Timon has gained traction in the last 20 years. Shakespeare and his likely collaborator, Thomas Middleton, wrote it probably between 1605 and 1606 about the time King James I and the upper classes were spending wildly, heavily in debt, when Shakespeare was working on Anthony and Cleopatra.

Wikipedia says there is no evidence Timon was performed during Shakespeare's lifetime (1564-1616). 

Shakespeare partially derived his tale from Plutarch's Lives, one of his favorite sources, which says Timon from Athens had a reputation as a misanthropist. His father was a rich man who bestowed gifts upon friends who left when the money ran out, and Timon found himself working in the fields.

Supposedly, Timonium, Maryland up the road about an hour, was named by a woman in mourning after her wealthy landowner of a husband died at a young age.  The town is the burial site of Vice President Spiro Agnew (1918-1996) who served under President Richard Nixon before Agnew resigned in disgrace, another tragedy,  but I digress.

Notable authors who have utilized Timon are Thomas Hardy, Karl Marx, Charlotte Bronte, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charles Dickens, and Vladimir Nabokov who used a portion for his book title:

"The moon's an arrant thief,
And her pale fire she snatches from the sun," Timon says.

 Herman Melville considered Timon "to be among the most profound of Shakespeare's plays," according to Wikipedia. That it is!

Also starring are Louis Butelli, Aliyah Caldwell, Maboud Ebrahimzadeh, John Floyd, Amanda Forstrom, Sean Fri, Eric Hissom, Andhy Mendez, Antoineet Robinson, Michael Dix Thomas, and Kathryn Tkel.

Members of the creative team include Mariah Hale, costumes; Francesca Talenti, projection; Michele Osherow, resident dramaturg; Diane Healy, production stage manager; Megan Ball, assistant stage manager, Joe Isenberg, fight director, Michele Osherow, resident dramaturg, and Janet Alexander Griffin, artistic producer.

This is the last of the Folger's productions for the 2016-17 series. Anthony and Cleopatra opens next year's season on October 10, 2017 under Mr. Richmond's direction.

What: Timon of Athens

When: Now through June 11, 2017

Where: Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol Street, S. E. Washington, D.C. 20003

Tickets: Buy online, by phone (at 202-544-7077 from 12 to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday with extended hours on performance days), or at the box office (with the same hours as phone service). Tickets start at $25 with discounts for groups, students, seniors, military, and educators.

Metro station: Capitol South or Union Station

For more information: 202-544-4600 or info@folger.edu

patricialesli@gmail.com

Memorial Day Parade 2017, Washington, D.C.

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Washington, D.C. hosted the nation's largest Memorial Day Parade which featured hundreds of photos of our fallen troops carried by volunteers down Constitution Avenue. High school bands, most which seemed to come from Texas, played patriotic songs throughout the two-hour long march which found one band member from Sandy, Utah falling out, likely due to heat.

 We remember the faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/by Patricia Leslie

Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Faces of our heroes and the fallen, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/by Patricia Leslie

 San Angelo, Texas Central High School Band, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The riderless horse in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The riderless horse in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Some veterans rode in splendid style in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Ballou High School Majestic Knights Marching Band, Washington, D.C. Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Families of America's Fallen Heroes, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Families of America's Fallen Heroes, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia 
Leslie

 Bellevue High School Band, The Wolverines, Bellevue, WA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Whiteface High School Antelopes Marching Band, Whiteface, Texas, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Marble Falls High School, Marble Falls, Texas, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 No More Wars, Invest in Peace, Everywhere, USA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Chimacun High School Cowboy Marching Band, Chimacun, WA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Fifes and Drums, York Town, VA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Ramsey High School Big Blue Marching Band, Ramsey, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Ramsey High School Big Blue Marching Band, Ramsey, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Ramsey High School Big Blue Marching Band, Ramsey, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  National Society Sons of the American Revolution, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Alta High School Marching Band, Sandy, Utah, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

This poor lad may have been overcome by the heat, but nearby were band boosters from the Alta High School Marching Band in Sandy, Utah, to help him into a waiting van in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Helping a Alta High School Marching Band member into a van and out of the heat in the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Junction City High School Blue Jay Marching Band, Junction City, KS, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Harrison High School Huskies, Harrison, NY, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  As usual, President Abraham Lincoln came without his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, for the Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Honoring America's Fallen Heroes, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29,2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 It's a wonder that Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans didn't try to boost these fellows, Sons of Confederate Veterans from Alexandria, VA and Maryland, out of the parade, but maybe he did. As they marched by, the people applauded. Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Sons of Confederate Veterans, Alexandria, VA and Maryland, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The Renowned Sound of the Rhythmic Ravens Marching Band, Cane Ridge High School, Antioch, TN Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Goreville Marching Blackcats, Buncombe, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

You think it's a big elephant?  Try a big potato from Idaho!  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Time out for a slurpee, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Union High School Marching Bears, Big Stone Gap, VA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Union High School Marching Bears, Big Stone Gap, VA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

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  St. Joseph Ogden High School Marching Spartans, St. Joseph, IL,Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Altamont High School Marching Indians, Altamont, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  ROC Veterans Association in Washington, D.C., Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Spiro High School Marching Band, The Pride of Eastern Oklahoma, Spiro, OK, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The Lions with Miss America 2017, Savvy Shields, standing on the left in the blue dress, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Orange High Panther Band, Hillsborough, NC, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Boy Scouts of America, National Capital Area Council, Troop 176, Quantico MCB, VA Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Argo Community High School Marching Argonauts, Summit, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Seated is the oldest known WWII Pearl Harbor veteran, Ray Chavez, age 105, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Honoring Our Fallen Sons and Daughters Since 1928, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  The Pride of the Dakotas, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Marble Falls Junior-Senior High School Mustangs, Marble Falls, Texas,  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Dumont Huskies Marching Band, Dumont, NJ, "The Best Band in the Land!" Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 Marching Keenan High School Raider "Rubber" Band, Columbia, SC, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

   Marching Keenan High School Raider "Rubber" Band, Columbia, SC, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Valley Stream North High Spartan Band, Franklin Square, NY, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Korean War Veterans, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Central High School Big Blue Band of Pride, Burlington, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Central High School Big Blue Band of Pride, Burlington, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie 

  Cobden High School Marching Band Appleknockers, Cobden, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Gardner Area Marching Panthers Band, Gardner, IL, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Rolling Thunder (?), Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Sam Houston High School Marching Hurricanes, San Antonio, TX, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Jackson Liberty High School Lion Band, Jackson, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Jackson Liberty High School Lion Band, Jackson, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Jackson Liberty High School Lion Band, Jackson, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie 

  Desert Storm Troops, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Big Beaver Falls High School Tiger Band, Beaver Falls, PA, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  L.G. Pinkston High School Pride of the West Side Mighty Vikings Band, Dallas, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  Rockin' Redwings Band, Hoboken Public Schools, Hoboken, NJ, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Southern Boone County High School Marching Eagles, Ashland, MO, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

  The Village School Viking Band, Houston, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie

 The Village School Marching Band, Houston, Memorial Day Parade, Washington, D.C. May 29, 2017/Photo by Patricia Leslie