Return to AARO 95-96
The main story is about three couples. An older couple, Theseus and Hippolyta, are planning to be married. The other four youngsters have a more complicated situation. Hermia and Lysander are in love. However, Hermia is ordered by her father to marry Demetrius who loves Hermia. Helena, who loves Demetrius, can't seem to win his affections. Sound like "Melrose Place"?
As night falls the dreams begin, with fairy sprites and Athenian Kings and Queens. The King's jester, Puck, tries to put love spells on the right lovers but a comedy of errors ensues. By morning, all is well and the three couples plan to marry their true loves.
Goldstein made a very obvious choice to try and please all of the audience some of the time. Theseus and Hippolyta, the older couple, performed in traditional Shakespearean style, speaking in rhythm with customary dress. This was to appease the purists. For most mainstream audiences, however, their long, dry monologues are hard to follow.
At the next level were the two 20-something couples and the dream characters. This was the level present through most of the play and it's a good thing. The actors were allowed to play with their dialogue, stretching out phrases and holding for laughs instead of the stilted Shakespearean norm. Even though the language was old English, the audience could relate.
The dream characters' costumes reminded me of character-based games, like Dungeon and Dragons, or Magic; the Gathering. This applied heavily to the green fairies of the forests, and the red frocked Puck.
As for the Gen-X couples, Hermia with jet black hair was dressed punkish in a short skirt with trendy black leggings that stop just above the knee. Lysander had a slacker look with his long hair and trench coat. Demetrius was clothed in a mod suit, portraying a successful yuppie-type, maybe an accountant. Helena, an insecure whiner, was outfitted in what looked like a school uniform.
Beside their more modern dress, the blocking for this group was very physical. Hermia's long stockings were no doubt trying to minimize or hide her knee pads. There were slides, carries, catches and dancing that really livened up this group of players.
Lastly, Goldstein tried to appeal to the common folk and ended up patronizing the patrons with his group of wanna-be thespians. When the six tradesmen walked onto the mostly gray stage with their neon bright reds, greens, and yellows, I knew we were in trouble. Most of the audience were laughing hysterically at the scatological and slapstick humor, but I thought it was cheap. In fact, the real men grunts were stolen straight from "Home Improvement." However, I did enjoy David Pichette's portrayal of Bottom. He was the only character with dimension, but that is the fault of Shakespeare, not the actors or director. The other players were totally overblown stereotypes.
While Michael Kevin as Theseus and Oberon, and Molly Mayock as his partners Hippolyta and Titania, were quite good in their portrayal, I felt the younger, more modern characters were the real stand outs. Jordan Lee Williams as Lysander was excellent as well as Tracey A. Leigh as Helena. David Scully as Demetrius and Corliss Preston as Hermia were also very enjoyable. But the knock down stand out of the show was Francis Jue as Puck. His flaming portrayal of the mischievous fairy was outstanding. Every move, every line, every acrobatic leap was pure perfection.
I should also note the wonderful gymnastic ability of Gregory Colburn. The wonderful choreography by Barbea M. Williams and creative costumes by Laura Crow were two other important highlights of this production.
While I did not enjoy every moment, I still recommend ATC's Midsummer. This production is a great introduction for those wanting to venture into the world of Shakespeare.
ATC's A Midsummer Night's Dream runs through November 19, 1995. Call the Herberger Box Office for tickets at 252-TIXS or any Dillards outlet.
Viewed November 4, 1995
Return to AARO 95-96