Lear Redux Review – Shakespeare Would Smile

The critically acclaimed “Redux” series returns to the Odyssey Theatre in 2025 with LEAR REDUX. Inspired by Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” author John Farmanesh-Bocca has crafted a creative and exciting new look at the aging monarch with a trio of problematic daughters. The New American Theatre Company of professional actors and theater artists has taken the author’s concept and infused it with new life in a multimedia production which blends words, music, dance, and Jack Stehlin’s magical physicality (and very bright eyes) resulting in a funny, clever, and original take on Shakespeare’s “King Lear.”

Jack Stehlin – Photo by John Dlugolecki Photography

In Farmanesh-Bocca’s fantasy, King Lear (stage veteran Jack Stehlin) has morphed into a famous, demanding, and very narcissistic actor who is living on past laurels as he ages. His entire family hovers over him as he is reaching the end of his life in hospice care – especially since he plans to divide his estate among his daughters Goneril (Jade Sealey), Regan (Even Danzeisen), and Cordelia (Emily Yetter), who sadly died in early childhood in this updated tale – but who is currently represented by the actor’s beloved dog (also Emily Yetter, who scurries to and fro with the puppet dog wagging its tail). For the observant, pay attention to Yetter’s facial expressions for a clue to the pup’s thoughts. In the bedroom are Shakespeare’s sincere Edgar (Ahkei Togun),and wily Edmund (Andres Velez), who have become the actor’s day and night nurses, and the actor’s brother/Kent (Dennis Gersten), who also does a turn as a “see all/know all” blind homeless guru later in the show.

Eve Danzeisen, Andres Velez, Jade Sealey, and Jack Stehlin – Photo by John Dlugolecki Photography

As all Shakespeare’s aficionados will recall, Goneril and Regan pledge their eternal and total love for the actor – and thereby each receives half his estate – while Cordelia refuses and is left out in the cold. But the actor’s daughters, it seems, have overstated their adoration for the elderly man – and soon he too is left out in the cold, while both married ladies embark on an affair with the cunning nurse Edmund.

Jack Stehlin and Ahkei Togun – Photo by John Dlugolecki Photography

Farmanesh-Bocca is also director for the piece, and he does a superb job of blending iconic Shakespeare with an imaginative contemporary twist. The strains of the popular tune “Sandman” waft across the stage as the show opens; it should be recalled that the Sandman has also been equated with death in some cultures. But not only music offers clues to what is to come: lots of choreographed dance accompanies the story of Lear. Farmanesh-Bocca is ably assisted in telling the tale by a very talented cast. Kudos to Stehlin, who is the centerpiece of the story and projects his feeling through not only words but also facial expressions and complex body movements (along with some maniacal laughter).

Emily Yetter, Jack Stehlin, and Andres Velez – Photo by John Dlugolecki Photography

The production team surrounds the actors with a striking set (Mark Guirguis), casual costumes allowing for lots of movement (Denise Blasor), lighting (Bosco Flanagan), and sound (John Farmanesh-Bocca in yet another role in the production). LEAR REDUX is an excellent production on every level. It tells Lear’s story with imagination while blending multiple talents (song, dance, facial expression, physical movement). This is a show which will appeal to Shakespeare fans – but also to others who may not enjoy Shakespeare as much. Every moment on stage is exciting and unpredictable, gripping in its ability to take a well-worn chestnut of a renowned play and imbue it with fresh magic. This is a not-to-be-missed production.

Emily Yetter, Jack Stehlin, and Dennis Gersten – Photo by John Dlugolecki Photography

LEAR REDUX runs through July 13, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, at 2 p.m. on Sundays, and at 8 p.m. on Wednesdays June 11 and June 25 (dark on Friday July 4). The Odyssey Theatre is located at 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025. Tickets range from $20 to $43. For information and reservations, call 310-477-2055 ext. 2 or go online.