By Michael J. Toscano
Special to The Washington Post
Thursday, May 15, 2008

Shakespeare's "Richard III," now onstage in Alexandria from Tapestry Theatre Company, can be a rewarding experience for actors and audience alike.

We spectators to the Bard's somewhat twisted view of history can enjoy his compelling study of wicked power wielded by a homicidal conspirator. And for actors, playing Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who becomes King Richard III of England via serial murder, allows numerous opportunities to chew the scenery or go deep inside to get in touch with dark human impulses.

That's because Richard is not only an evil genius; he is hunchbacked and lame and has a deformed arm. Thespians have been having a great old time since 1592 limping across the world's stages like so many hideous gargoyles.

After 12 years, Tapestry Theatre Company will go dark forever after this show, succumbing to intensifying competition and shrinking audiences. The dwindling audience base was clearly evident on opening night, when the cast outnumbered the audience by almost two-to-one. So if you have enjoyed one of Tapestry's plays in the past, it might be nice to reward the troupe with your attendance as its members take final bows.

As we meet him, Richard has removed the king and installed a sickly brother on the throne. To get the crown on his own head, however, Richard has to kill his way through the line of succession, dispatching brothers, nephews and nieces before it is his turn to rule. Even with script cuts, it's a long (three hours) and unwieldy play, with many characters to keep track of and much action pushed offstage.

Local audiences for this frequently performed drama have been treated to Richard in many forms, including a Nazi in the mold of Gestapo leader Heinrich Himmler, and a Roaring Twenties gangster in Chicago. It's not obvious what director Susan Schulman had in mind here, and the results are mixed. The stage is mostly barren, and while unusually well-detailed period costumes suggest Tudor England, some characters wear contemporary clothing.

Schulman has also mixed in video, with action and dialogue (in the form of interview soundbites) presented on a large screen. Unfortunately, technical problems with the playback and projection system were distracting on opening night, so I could not make an accurate judgment regarding their contribution to the storytelling.

Physically weak, Richard manipulates others to do his killing through sheer force of personality. It's a disappointment that Andy Greenleaf doesn't exude that intensity here. It is a mystery how his Richard compels others to do his very dirty work.

The scene in which Richard finally claws his way onto the throne should be a climactic moment mixing passion, hubris, dread and fear, but it is flat and strangely enervated. Greenleaf is better in later scenes as Richard's enemies gather strength and threaten his reign. He seems freer to explore the king's paranoia and insecurity in these moments than he is focusing on evil cunning.

There are many worthy performances in the cast of 24 (playing 35 roles). These include the work of Jay Tilley, royally mellifluous as the turncoat Duke of Buckingham; expressive-faced Andrew Langan as naive George, Duke of Clarence, almost comically incredulous that his brother could have him killed; Lee McKenna as a feisty and foul-natured Queen Margaret; and Jes Decker, in one of several roles, as a precocious Prince Edward.

A scene between Greenleaf and Tapestry co-founder Peggy Jones as Queen Elizabeth provides captivating sparks over Richard's plans for her daughter.

As Greenleaf's Richard finally disintegrates into terror in the face of his enemies and faces his fate, the play reaches a satisfying conclusion. With Tapestry about to bring down the curtain for good, it's a case of "all's well that ends well."

"Richard III" continues through May 24, performed by Tapestry Theatre Company at the Lee Center's Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria. Showtime Fridays and Saturdays is 7:30 p.m. with a matinee Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets or information, call 703- 960-3398 or visithttp://www.tapestrytheatre.com.