A Midsummer Night’s Dream

REVIEW:  Actors’ Shakespeare Project envisions a wildly mischievous ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

It may not be the lusty month of May yet, but Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s contemporary A Midsummer Night’s Dream has it covered by the time it arrives.  This is one wild ride.

It is not difficult to see why A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most performed and beloved plays.  It is everything but tragic and can be interpreted in a variety of ways.  It features magic, mischief, romantic comedy, action, and it was a perfect way to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday on April 23.

Eliza Fichter and Dan Garcia in ASP’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

With bold direction by Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Actors’ Shakespeare Project continues A Midsummer Night’s Dream live and in person through Sunday, May 4 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown, Massachusetts. The show’s action is not limited to the stage with two platforms immersed in the audience and runs 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission. Discounted tickets are available.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

The Cast of Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

A Midsummer Night’s Dream has multiple story lines, but the cast translates Shakespeare’s work with a lively affinity for the text with some improvisation and pop culture references along the way.  Part play within a play, part fantasy, and part comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream essentially explores love in all of its forms from unrequited to desire to true love to romantic comedy gone awry due to some mystical love potions.  A Midsummer Night’s Dream is also the source of some of Shakespeare’s most famous reflections on love such as ‘True love does not see with the eyes, but the mind’ and ‘The course of true love never did run smooth.’  Shakespeare’s witty dialogue is an intriguing reminder that his classic story lines can translate seamlessly into a wide variety of contemporary scenarios.

Kody Grassett, Doug Lockwood, and Bobbie Steinbach in ASP’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Scenic designer Ben Lieberson’s multilevel and industrial scaffolding not only provides a club atmosphere, but a somewhat blank canvas for lighting designer Brian Lilienthal’s multicolored illumination as a glimmering disco ball hangs overhead. Seth Bodie’s distinctive costumes feature a wide array of 90s and turn of the century looks from refined to over the top in splashy, glimmering, feathered and suggestive club wear to edgy street attire in fringe, pleather and denim to lavish upscale suits.  Sound designer MacKenzie Adamick also sets a 90s and 2000s vibe with a mix of original and popular club beats for both comic relief and setting the scene.  

ia Giatrelis, Eliza Fichter, Evan Taylor, Doug Lockwood, and Kody Grassett in ASP’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

Coy, bold, and chock full of passion, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream establishes a world of status and fantasy featuring a cast of powerful and absorbing characters determined to fight for what they want and aren’t shy about absurdity demonstrated by Doug Lockwood as the enthusiastic and bombastic Nick Bottom along with Bobbie Steinbach as resourceful Quince and a group of madcap and dedicated mechanicals offer more than silly humor before the final curtain. 

Bobbie Steinbach and The Mechanicals in ASP’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

These mature characters are tougher and have experienced life’s hardships which is a valuable attribute for love is fickle.  Michael Broadhurst as Lysander may seem sweet and adoring sharing an endearing chemistry with Thomika Marie Bridwell as Hermia, but Broadhurst also has a chance to explore another side of this character.  Athletic Alan Kuang is remarkable as wild, mischievous, and break dancing Puck and his conspiring moments with Dan Garcia as Oberon make for street savvy and cunning pair.

Thomika Marie Bridwell and De’Lon Grant in ASP’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

The women in this production are strong, beautiful, and fierce. Eliza Fichter takes on dual roles as powerful Hippolyta as well as glamorous and seductive Titania.  Thomika Marie Bridwell is wonderful as headstrong, comically tough and fearless Hermia while Deb Martin is a scene stealer and redefines crazy in love wild eyed Helena. Martin’s physical comedic prowess and the arduous lengths she goes through to get what she wants would be inspiring if she was not so unhinged and she shares some madcap moments with De’Lon Grant as impulsive Demetrius.  However, one intense scene between Martin and Bridwell going head to head becomes so hilarious and well executed that it stands as my favorite scene in this production. 

De’Lon Grant and Deb Martin in ASP’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Photo by Nile Scott Studios

One of the liveliest adaptations I’ve ever seen, Actors’ Shakespeare Project continues A Midsummer Night’s Dream live and in person through Sunday, May 4 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown, Massachusetts Click here for more information and for tickets.

REVIEW: Magic, mischief, and classic romantic comedy rule Company Theatre’s wondrous ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Posted on by The Sleepless Critic

It is not difficult to see why A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most performed and beloved plays.  It is everything but tragic.  It features magic, mischief, romantic comedy, action, and under a harvest moon, a haunting twist perfect for October and Halloween.

This particular play holds historical significance to the Company Theatre because it was the first show they ever produced 40 years ago when they were working with very little money.  Company Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an opportunity to transform the production into what they have always hoped it to be and what a dream it is.

Cleverly directed by Steve Dooner, Company Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream continues through Sunday, October 20 at the Company Theatre in Norwell, Massachusetts.  Click here for a closer look at show and here for more information and tickets.

Company Theatres A Midsummer Nights Dream set and cast

Samantha McMahon as Queen Titania and fairies Photo courtesy of the Company Theatre

Under a gigantic moon, Ryan Barrow’s enchanting set design and Zoe Bradford’s beautiful art design unleash a picturesque, woodland world full of frolicking fairies, sword fights, romance, and more surrounded by a moving and glittering landscape.  The show’s fanciful Ravel and Mendelssohn-infused soundtrack, some high flying special effects, Paula Ninestein and Anna Splitz’s authentic costumes with a bit of a contemporary edge, and Ethan R. Jones’s stirring lighting design seamlessly combine to enhance this captivating work.

Company Theatre A Midsummer Nights Dream Theseus and Hippolyta

Dan Kelly as Theseus and Sarah Dewey as Hippolyta Photo courtesy of the Company Theatre

A Midsummer Night’s Dream has multiple story lines, but the cast translates Shakespeare’s work with gravitas and humor.   For those hesitant about understanding Shakespeare’s work, this production is lively, lighthearted, and manageable to follow.

Part play within a play, part intrigue, part comedy, and part mystery, A Midsummer Night’s Dream essentially explores love in all of its forms from unrequited to true love to romantic comedy to love potions.  This production is the source of some of Shakespeare’s most famous reflections on love such as “True love does not see with the eyes, but the mind,” and “The course of true love never did run smooth.”  The show’s witty dialogue is a wonderful reminder that Shakespeare’s story lines are timeless and can translate into any contemporary story line.

Though A Midsummer Night’s Dream boasts a dignified and dynamic cast, it also excels at improvisation, hilarity, and absurdity.  Dan Kelly is a regal and charismatic Theseus and Sarah Dewey a radiant Hippolyta.  They glide onstage like today’s royal family.  Declan Dunn delivers a remarkable performance as wild, mischievous, and mighty Puck and his conspiring moments with Jermaine Murray as King Oberon make for a clever and cunning pair.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The women in this production are strong, beautiful, and fierce.  Ariel Wigfall portrays sympathetic, yet courageous Hermia while raven-haired Joan Raube-Wilson is virtuous and stunning as Helena.  Samantha McMahon is as glamorous as she is amusing as Queen Titania.

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ also has a wealth of wonderful, improvisational moments.  Suraj Ranhbhat as headstrong Demetrius, Bryant Marshall as Lysander, and especially Marco Zenelli as the energetic, bombastic, yet benevolent Nick Bottom along with his group of madcap, merry Mechanicals all demonstrate some excellent physical humor, improvisation, and zany comic relief.  Where would today’s humor be without these classic comedic moments which stand as the foundation of what we are all laughing about today.

Company Theatre A Midsummer Nights Dream Mechanicals

From L to R: Marco Zanelli as Nick Bottom, Declan Dunn as Puck and Caroline Kautsire as Peter Quince

Company Theatre’s classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream continues through Sunday, October 20 at the Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Drive in Norwell, Massachusetts.  Click here for more information, tickets, and how to support Company Theatre’s future.  Also follow Company Theatre on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to learn all about their upcoming events.