The 2nd 2025 edition of A Touch of Shakespeare (an exploration of monologues from Shakespeare’s folio) was not as well curated as the 1st edition in October. It seemed to have been cobbled together a little quickly and the actors were not as well rehearsed or comfortable with the material as they were in October. But the program still provided a great overview of both popular and less familiar Shakespearean works.

Starting with a monologue from and by Richard III was probably not the best idea. Although the monologue was brilliant, Richard III is one of the more difficult characters to play correctly and he has no redeemable qualities. Alan Haenas was unable to capture the character with the same understanding he brought to Lear earlier in the year. Following that with the wonderful Jane Culley doing Goneril gave the audience a one two punch of some of Shakespeare’s least relatable characters. The selections and early placement in the show failed to provide the audience with the hook needed to drive the production.

An exciting moment in the night was Adam Lyons monologue from Titus describing to the Queen’s sons how he was going to wreak revenge by killing, dismembering. and grinding them to powder and baking them in a pie to serve to their mother. Lyons captured the incredible humor of the speech and left the audience longing for a full production of Shakespeare’s most violent play.

Sam Cruz once again, despite his youth, brought his deep understanding of Shakespeare to the stage as he dissected Iago’s plot to destroy Desdemona and Othello to exploit the humor in his evil plot. He is an excellent Shakespearian performer who always provides a treat for the audience

This edition of A Touch of Shakespeare needed a bit more development before getting to the stage, but Jennings to doing Shakespeare properly makes any Shakespearean production he directs worth seeing.