28 Jul 2014

That's the One That's Not a Planet Anymore, Right?: "Plutus," at Lincoln Park through August 3

By Thom White

Bob Hanske, Bryan Woods, and Neil Friberg in Every so often, Genesius Guild's end-of-summer comedy isn't the traditionally silly, over-the-top production that mostly forsakes a story-driven plot. Such is the case with this year's comedic romp Plutus. During Saturday's take on Aristophanes' original text, I found myself as interested in the outcomes of the characters as I did in director/adapter Don Wooten's mockery of local icons and current events. Sometimes more so.

03 Aug 2010

Jokers! Wild!: "Ecclesiazusae," at Lincoln Park through August 8

By Thom White

Michael Phillips, Lisa Pilgrim, and Claira Hart in EcclesiazusaeGenesius Guild's Ecclesiazusae is perhaps the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen on a local stage, and that's what I found so charming about it.

06 Aug 2008

Greece Is the Word: "The Clouds," at Lincoln Park through August 10

By Mike Schulz

Pat Flaherty and David Wooten in The Clouds Genesius Guild's season-ender opens with a visual gag so wonderfully surprising that I wouldn't dream of describing it, and closes with a slapstick chase so wonderfully goofy that I couldn't describe it if I wanted to.

08 Aug 2007

Hell Razzing: "The Frogs," at Lincoln Park through August 12

By Mike Schulz

Peter Soderberg and David Wooten in The Frogs Amidst the laughter that accompanied Saturday night's Lincoln Park presentation of The Frogs, I was especially aware of one particular audience member's vocal enjoyment. He was seated quite a bit away from me, but judging by the timbre, I'd say he was about five or six, and he'd routinely giggle with an involuntary, infectious happiness that made it sound as though he was being tickled. A bunch of us were, actually.

02 Aug 2005

Genesius Guild's "The Knights"' Script Nearly Triumphs Over Its Execution

By Mike Schulz
Saturday's opening-night production of Aristophanes' The Knights, which closes Genesius Guild's summer season and runs through this weekend, began with a few words from Guild founder - and uncredited Knights scribe - Don Wooten, and it's hard to imagine the evening commencing on a more charming note.
12 Aug 2003

Genesius Guild Strikes Gold with "Plutus"

By Jill Walsh
For 43 years, Don Wooten has been re-writing Greek history. His history lessons are anything but serious or classroom-worthy, and that's all right with him. Wooten, the founder of Genesius Guild theatre group, has most recently altered the more outdated sections of Aristophanes' comedy Plutus to make its already-quirky script even quirkier and more accessible to modern audiences. Wooten has added musical numbers and touches of local humor about bridge construction and the Mallards hockey team, and he addresses national issues such as war, education, President Bush, and television infomercials. With a bit of assistance from Aristophanes, Wooten has produced an appealing script.

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