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Shakespeare’s classic comic fantasy is perfect for a summer evening.
Classic Theatre of Maryland’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a colorful, magical vision of Shakespeare’s classic comedy. Directed by Donald Hicken and Sally Boyett, it is a delightful way to spend a summer evening.
As Theseus, Benjamin Hoover is a blend of love and impatience for the wedding and wedding night. As Oberon he is imperial, giving commands to Titania (Jacey Schult) and the fairies, expecting to be obeyed. Jacey Schult plays Hippolyta with a combination of love and nerves, anxiously straightening her dress at the play’s start. As Titania, she brings passion, emotionally speaking about the natural world and humanity’s encroachment on it and wrapping her arms in love around Bottom (John Pruessner).
Juliette Charles plays Puck with great mischief, taking pleasure in the chaos caused, while racing around the stage gathering the humans and fetching the instruments. Her final speech is quietly moving. As Theseus’ servant Philostrate, she presents the options for the plays the couple will hear, commenting on the Rude Mechanicals’ offering. Mackenzie Koehne and Sara Evelina Davis bring gracefulness to the fairies Peaseblossom and Mustardseed, dancing around the stage.
Delaney Jackson gives Hermia a fierceness, loyal to Lysander (Jesse Kodama) no matter what. This turns to comic anger at Helena (Allison Meyer) as she leaps at her new rival for Lysander’s affections, needing to be held back. Jesse Kodama brings a passion to Lysander, declaring undying love to Hermia before shaking her off and seizing on Helena. Cyrus Mooney gives a single-mindedness as Demetrius, pursuing Hermia and angrily spurning Helena, before falling for Helena. Allison Meyer plays Helena desperately in love with Demetrius, despite his rejection, and jealous of the attention paid to Hermia. When both Lysander and Demetrius fall for her, she angrily wails at what she thinks is their mockery of her.
Brian Davis brings a quiet patience to Quince, in charge of the Rude Mechanicals. He gently deflects Bottom’s (John Pruessner) attempts to play all the roles and holds back Snug (David Polgar) as he gets really into character as the Lion. Delivering the Prologue to Theseus and the guests, he comically stammers in nervousness. Evan Leone as Flute gives a comic falsetto to Thisbe, throwing himself onto Bottom’s body in comic grief. Jack Venton as Snout delivers the Wall’s lines in comically flat iambic pentameter, while having humorous stage business with his costume. David Polgar as Snug throws himself into the Lion’s role, crawling on all fours and roaring at the guests. Dexter Hamlett as Starveling gives a weariness to the Man in the Moon, trying to deliver his lines only to be interrupted. He plays Egeus, Hermia’s father, with great stubbornness, determined for her to marry Demetrius.
John Pruessner brings a comic enthusiasm to Bottom, eager to play all the roles and figuring out solutions to nonexistent problems in the performance. His transformation by Puck is extraordinary, and his comic ignorance of it is hilarious.
Props and Set Designer Salydon Boyken fills the stage with greenery, vines and flowers on hanging nets covering both stairways. The fairies use bushes in a clever way to lure Lysander and Demetrius toward each other. Costume Designer Sally Boyett and Wig Designer Tommy Malek create outfits easily identifying each character, the human women wearing long, floral dresses and the human men in jackets and vests. Titania and Oberon are in green gowns and cloaks, respectively, and Peaseblossom and Mustardseed wear tights, tunics, and horns, with lights wrapped around them. Puck wears a fur shirt covered in leaves and lights. The Rude Mechanicals’ costumes for their play are comically amateurish, while Bottom’s ass head nearly steals the show in its size and furriness.
Lighting Designer Hailey LaRoe adds to the fantasy atmosphere by bathing the stage in various colored lights whenever magic is used. Sound Designer Sally Boyett includes ethereal music in several scenes. Co-Directors Donald Hicken and Sally Boyett, also the choreographer, keep the actors moving nearly constantly, whether circling duels between Lysander and Demetrius or Pyramus and Thisbe’s comic deaths. The fairies’ ballet-like dances are lovely to watch, and the several dances by the cast are high energy. The show is only up for another week, so don’t let summer pass without seeing it!
Running Time: Approximately two hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays through July 28, 2024, at Classic Theatre of Maryland – 1804 West Street, Suite 200, Annapolis, MD. For tickets ($55–$75) call the box office at 410-415-3513 or purchase online.
