In the works of William Shakespeare, there are comedies, there are tragedies, there are histories, and then there are the problem plays. These are the plays that defy easy categorization; they tend to have complex themes and ambiguous tones.
All's Well That Ends Well is one such play. It's possibly Shakespeare's darkest comedy, dealing not just with love and mistaken identity like many of his comedic works, but also with war and gender issues.
Its status as a problem play (and its complex themes and flawed characters) was a big part of why 7 Towers chose to stage All's Well That Ends Well. Director Christina Gutierrez was drawn to the challenges of the play, and the actors (including but not limited to Stephen Price, Trace Pope, and Laura Artesi) were eager to play these complex characters.
See All's Well That Ends Well at the Dougherty Arts Center through August 3.