When Shane walked onto the stage in a slow motion dressed in dusty black cowboy garb, he immediately commanded attention. The introduction to the title character of Dallas Theater Center’s current production entered like a dream with an air of danger and pride. In Karen Zacarias’ adaptation of the Jack Schaefer novel and under Blake Robison’s direction, the Western held on to the genre’s heroic nature, but with a poetic grim that mixed in race dynamics and the intricacies that come with it. This ain’t your grandpa’s Western — this was better.
Set in Wyoming, the story centers on the lone cowboy who meets and befriends the Starrett family of three. Shane is Black. The family is Hispanic. Already, this Western looks different as it works to fill the voids in the genre where people of color are either villainized, erased or stereotyped. As the four strive to have a humble but thriving life on their land, Luke Fletcher is the big bad guy who wants the real estate and has the henchmen to back him — most notably, the gunman Stark Wilson.
If you’ve seen any western, you’ll likely figure the outcome, but getting there in 90 minutes with no intermission was a stunning experience. Robison’s direction let the story breathe and take its time in unfolding while also never wasting a minute of narrative or exposition. Lex Liang’s gorgeous, multilayered set had an effective simplicity with Pabolo Santiago’s distinct lighting played into the story’s movement and timing.
Nathan M. Ramsey gave an extraordinary performance as Shane. His portrayal was stoic and understated and hinted to the weighted damage Shane carried from his past through mellow tones and expressive eyes. Yet, when challenged, Ramsey subtly shifted into an immovable steadfastness. His meticulous performance hinted at a barely restrained anger, which kinda gave the distinct impression that an enraged Shane is someone best unseen.
As the young Bobby Starrett, Esteban Vilchez was captivating as the child enamored by Shane’s look and lifestyle. He balanced mischief and curiosity with a child’s naivete quite believably from the very adult actor. Blake Hackler and Tiffany Solano were lovely together as the Starrett’s. Hackler’s Joe was headstrong but tender and smart. Solano was convincingly maternal with her son and the now-two men in Marian’s life. When Marian, with her Mexican roots, had her own racial conflicts, Solano straddled that line fittingly.
The first bad guy we are introduced to was Chris, a punk bully youngster played with bratty appeal by Zachary J. Willis. Jim Jorgensen was all menace as Stark Wilson who was tasked with killing Shane. Jorgensen did a lot with little. Simply standing in place, it was easy to see this guy was trouble.
Bob Hess delivered a proper bad guy performance as Luke Fletcher, that avoided common villain tropes yet he still showcased an unwavering ruthlessness that intensified his character. Stephanie Lauren Delgado’s portrayal of Winona was impactful in each of her scenes, but drew gasps and applause from the audience during her final act.
Zacarias’ adaptation was thoughtful as well as exciting. Her words were enhanced by punctuating choreography and movements by Movement Director Vanessa Severo that added a fresh flavor to the story. The fight scenes by Rick Sordelet and Christin Kelly-Sordelet were astonishing and crafted with a fresh perspective over anything typical. These added unforgettable elements to Shane that will keep the play well in thought after curtain.
The show runs through Sunday at the Kalita Humphreys Theater.
–Rich Lopez
Not impressed at all. They basically hijacked a really good story – And injected racism where there was none – and everything that goes along with it. Shame on you all. Can’t you just roll with the original story???