Midsummer Nights' Dream

Spoilers ahoy!

Note:  The photo shows the marvelous Lisa Wolpe as Oberon, while the performance I saw had Michael McFall playing the role.  (Photo By Ian Flanders)

A Midsummer Nights' Dream remains a popular but sometimes underestimated play in Shakespeare's canon.  Seen as a fluff piece, to some (like myself) it is more about what to modern eyes seems a surreal look at absurdity, not in malice or despair, but with humor.

The story deals with three groups of characters in and around an imaginary version of Athens, one where the Aristocracy all have names from history and myth, while a "rude mechanicals" who proudly seek to put on an amateur theatrical to celebrate a royal wedding seem like English peasants.  Meanwhile, within the forest nearby a host of Elves and Fairies from a mishmash of folk tales have their own tale to tell, about the King Oberon (Michael McFall) having fallen out with his queen Titania (director Melora Marshall), and a practical joke he means to settle it all with the help of the ever-mischievous Puck (Terrence Wayne, Jr.)

Of course since said rude mechanicals are going to rehearse their play in the woods while this other story plays out, even as the mismatched lovers Demetrius (Ethan Haslam), Hermia (Julia Lisa), Helena (Sara Mountjoy-Pepka) and Lysander (Joey Major) fleet to the self same forest to elope, stop an elopement, etc. meaning all the action is more-or-less happening in the same place at pretty much the same time.  Ideal circumstances for a farce, which in the wooded stage of the Theatricum Botaticum comes off to excellent effect.

In fact the whole show comes across as delightful, with plenty of delicious sight gags, and most of the lines clear and understood by both ear and mind.  In many ways the would be actors amongst the real ones (played of course by real ones) tend to steal their parts of the show--Thad Geer, Elias Wigodny, Sky Wahl, Jacob Salazar, and Ernestine Phillips.  In particular, what proves most delightful about them is their utter pride and sincerity (coupled with lack of talent or professional skill) which nevertheless wins the hearts of the audience on stage and those watching the stage.

Yet as everyone emerges from the forest, their lives and hearts having become playthings, no one feels wronged.  Rather they feel touched by wonder.  In this, most of all, methinks this play shows its greatest sophistication.  Because these folks are not baffled by a world that makes no sense like the Prince of Denmark, nor enraged it does not obey their will like King Lear.  They accept it, grateful for what joy their find in a world at times malicious, at times mischievous, at times cruel or uncaring, yet also which contains love, kindness, gratitude.  Just like they themselves.  

This is a very good production. 

Its upcoming performances are Sunday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 5 at 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 2 at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 17 at 4 p.m. , Sunday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m.