www.montereycountynow.com MARCH 12-18, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 39 ONSTAGE Directors have come to the conclusion that Shakespeare was a rather poor historian—which is not a slap at the Bard’s historical plays. “They are largely influenced by the politics of his day,” explains River Navaille, theater arts instructor at Hartnell College. “‘Political war plays’ is much more accurate.” The phrase was coined by Rosa Joshi of the Pacific Northwest troupe Upstart Crow Collective, which is where Navaille [they/them] came across a staging of King John, Shakespeare’s earliest history. The production resonated. “The play is filled with incredible language, interesting storytelling and so much drama,” Navaille says. “It has the elements of Shakespeare’s top tragedies.” Yet it was a nagging matter relevant to the current world’s ruptured political climate that inspired them to bring King John to the Western Stage— not as a Medieval costume drama, but as a commentary on the whims of power, the cost and who bears it. As the play opens, King John (Patric Tipton) holds a tenuous grip on the crown. The rightful heir, a young nephew named Arthur (Kate Willingham) has a legal claim to the throne. So badly does Arthur’s mother, Lady Constance (Lizbeth Rios Blanco) crave it for her son, she convinces King Philip of France (Chaiynna Laiyn) to send an army to settle the matter. A deal between the two kings grants John a reprieve, but it is only momentary. There are other forces that influence those in power—in this case the Catholic Church, acting on a past slight—and the battles are rejoined. As Navaille points out in their director’s notes, petty grudges and vengeful political whims from those in power sound eerily familiar. But there is something missing from Shakespeare’s version. “The play focuses on the political elite, but the whims of power can have a human toll for regular, working-class people,” Navaille points out. So they bought 750 chess pieces—pawns, most in red—that are scattered on stage as a metaphor, mounting up as the wars continue. “The pawns are paying the price.” Under Navaille’s direction, King John is as provocative as it is a chess game. The Catholic Church could sway the political elite then. Now that power is held by those with different capital. King John is performed 7:30pm Friday, March 13-Saturday, March 14; 2pm Sunday, March 15. The Western Stage, 411 Central Ave., Building K, Salinas. $10-$20; no one turned away for lack of funds. (831) 7556816, westernstage.com. MARIA ELANA MEJIA CONTRERAS Power Play Shakespeare’s rarely staged history, King John, raises questions about authority. By Dave Faries Chess pawn pieces represent the blood that is shed due to political decisions—“without having to do that much [costume] laundry,” says director River Navaille. www.folktalewinery.com APRIL FOOL’S EDITION BEST OF SAN FRANCISCO COMEDY COMPETITION ENJOY AN EVENING OF COMEDY IN THE BARREL ROOM AT FOLKTALE WINERY Featuring Auggie Smith, Natalie Diaz and Marcus Howard SATURDAY APRIL 4 Wine Club Members receive a discount. Limited seating this show will sell out. DOORS AT 7:30PM
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