If you can’t quite remember “A Man for All Seasons” from high school, here’s a quick refresher: It’s “The Crucible.” Minus the witches and the voodoo dolls.
The plays could be companion pieces, each (first) penned in the mid-1950s. Arthur Miller was writing in response to the McCarthy red-scare hysteria; Englishman Robert Bolt for his admiration of Sir Thomas More.
The 16th-century chancellor of England was put to death for his unwillingness to sanction King Henry VIII’s divorce from the barren Catherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn. More’s principled refusal to declare the king to be the supreme head of the Church of England led to its split with Rome, and he was later declared a Catholic saint.
As an agnostic, Bolt was no fan of organized religion, but he respected More’s refusal to bow to the will of the king.
The Arvada Center, which presented a very strong “Crucible” only a year ago, probably errs in treading such familiar terrain so soon after. Both tales chronicle innocent men who refuse to compromise their beliefs to save their skins. But for all their parallels in plot and principles, “The Crucible” is just a better play and makes for a far more visceral evening of theater, even if the consequences of More’s actions proved far more consequential than Proctor’s.
Proctor was a sinner who found his courage. More has it, keeps it and dies with it, without wavering — which, when it comes to storytelling, just isn’t as interesting.
But if you’re going to see “A Man for All Seasons,” you’ll find no greater embarrassment of riches than director Anthony Powell’s production now playing ever so briefly (it closes Feb. 14) at the Arvada Center. His impeccable cast of 16 includes no fewer than nine past or present members of the Denver Center Theatre Company.
Atop that list is Kurt Rhoads, whose solid portrayal of the incorruptible More is as honorable as his character. Slithering on the periphery as his nemesis Cromwell is Steven Cole Hughes, who does a mighty fine job keeping contained a laughable lout so driven to bringing about More’s ruination that he simply ignores that honorable man’s obvious loyalty to the king.
The all-star roster includes Misha Johnson, Jeffrey Roark, Mark Rubald and, from the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Chip Persons and Ray Kemble. But as impeccable as they (and others) are, this all makes for a fairly dry discourse through 2010 eyes.
The director seems to even anticipate the audience’s lack of engagement from the opening beat by adding some humanizing comic bits that effectively help ease us into the story.
The first half, which frankly could use some righteous acceleration, plods through some complex if necessary moral terrain. When the story finally establishes its stakes — More’s very life — the play arrives on rock-solid ground. Though the climactic jailhouse scene between More and his family brings with it more “Crucible” flashbacks, Rachel Fowler distinguishes herself as Lady Alice, More’s fiery pistol of a wife who fears that once her husband has died for his principles she will hate him for it. It’s the emotional highlight of the evening.
Brian Mallgrave’s evocative set, which may represent the grounding of the papal Tiara (hey, it’s a theory) elegantly establishes time and place. But the synthetic, brooding sound effects between scenes are too heavy-handed, as is Powell’s attempts at drawing parallels with the political winds of today.
The words do that well enough for themselves. The message: If you’re going to be out making trouble, “make the expected kind.”
John Moore: 303-954-1056 or jmoore@denverpost.com
“A Man for All Seasons” *** (out of four stars)
Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Written by Robert Bolt. Directed by Anthony Powell. Starring Kurt Rhoads, Rachel Fowler, Steven Hughes and Chip Persons. Through Feb. 14. 2 hours, 35 minutes. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays- Fridays; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays, 1 p.m. Wednesdays. $45-$55. 720-898-7200,
Cast list
Sir Thomas More: Kurt Rhoads
Thomas Cromwell: Steven Cole Hughes
Alice More: Rachel Fowler
Richard Rich: Chip Persons
T.Cardinal Wolsey: Ray Kemble
The Duke of Norfolk: Jeffrey Roark
Signor Chapuys: Rodney Lizcano
King Henry VIII: Leigh Miller
Margaret More: Misha Johnson
William Roper: Jeremy Make
The Common Men: Mark Rubald, Daniel Langhoff and Kevin Lowry
Thomas Cranmer: Erik Tieze*
A Woman: Karen Slack
This week’s other theater openings
“Cora Vette’s Dangerous Curves” A burlesque variety show that plays at 10 p.m. Thursdays only through Feb. 27. Presented by Black Box Burlesque at Bender’s Tavern, 314 E. 13th Ave., 720-308-5091 or
“The Diary of Anne Frank” The story of the Frank family that hid from the Nazis for two years. Through Feb. 13. Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, 403 Second St., 970-349-0366, or
“Eventide” The world-premiere sequel to “Plainsong” revisits the endearing old McPheron brothers at their Colorado ranch. Through Feb. 27. Denver Center Theatre Company, Stage Theatre, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or
“The Foreigner” Larry Shue’s enduring comedy about a man so painfully shy he poses at a fishing lodge in rural Georgia as a man who speaks no English. Through March 14. 73rd Avenue Theatre, 7287 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, 720-276-6936 or
“Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” Terrence McNally explores romance in this frank, quirky postcoital first-date interlude between two wary, weary veterans of the heart. Through Feb. 20. Star Bar Players, 310 Tia Juana St., Colorado Springs, 719-390-0255 or
“The King and I” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical adaptation of Anna Leonowens, governess to a Siamese king and his children in the 1860s. Songs include “I Whistle a Happy Tune” and “Shall We Dance?” Through Feb. 21. Performance Now at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, 303-987-7845 or
“Legally Blonde” **** Musical stage adaptation of the hit 2001 film abut the sorority girl who graduates from Harvard Law School. National touring production. Through Feb. 14. Buell Theatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Curtis streets, 303-893-4100 or and here’s
“Moon Over Buffalo” Popular farce about a hack acting ensemble toiling away in Buffalo. Through Feb. 14. Parker Arts Council, 19650 E. Main St., 303-841-4500 or
“A Rose to the End of Time” A look at the last days of poet/physician William Carlos Williams’ life, as he is haunted by his three personal muses. An original play by Karl Kopp. Through Feb. 27. Brooks Center Arts, 1400 Williams St.
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