Shipwrecked! An Entertainment

SHIPWRECKED is a wonderful tour de force written by Donald Margulies, It tells the real -life story of Louis de Rougement was a man with a fantastical story of being shipwrecked, going to strange lands, marrying a native woman, and finally after many wild and wooly adventures, returned to England and was revered, briefly as a superstar adventurer in a world already fascinated by the concept of Empire and exotic lands. Unfortunately his story was found out to be fabricated. The play makes a pitch to say maybe a fabricated life that brings enjoyment to others and oneself might be preferable after all to a dull empty life of the average citizen. Part of the adventure of Rougement was in telling the tall tales and in that sense he lived, although briefly, a fascinating life.  Rougement and Margulies are helped by the extraordinary performance by Gregory Itzin in the title role. I believe he may have had as much fun performing this story as Rougement had in the telling. Itzin is a very versatile actor who is best known for his portrayal of the President in the television show 24 and his subsequent Emmy Nomination. I’ve known him as a stage actor through many different shows and have had the pleasure of inhabiting the stage with him. I congratulate him on his well-deserved success. I must also mention two younger actors who help him tell this tale, Michael Daniel Cassady and the rubber faced Melody Butiu. They match Itzin every step of the way and it is evident there is great camaraderie between them. Cassady’s portrayal of a dog and Itzin’s ability to incorporate this scene-stealer into his action are not to be missed All this is magnificently staged by Bart Lorenzo who keeps everything moving, alive, and hilarious. BRAVO to all. There is rumor of a move into LA so keep an eye out.

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY closed Oct 14