“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Cast Strong

by Cathy Craig

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” final production to open in this season’s Summer Theater in the Park, joined the company’s alternating repertory last night to delightfully complete a monumental task.

Shakespeare’s comedy of love, enchantment and burlesque humor was treated well by the Summer Theater group whose members’ talents successfully have transformed Memorial Park Shelter House into a different time and place five times in little more than as many weeks of preparation.

Using elements of the masque, Shakespeare has woven his tale of love around the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta. Oberone and Titania, king and queen of the fairies, are at hand to glorify the nuptial celebration, as are lowly Athenian artisans who in startling contrast present their play, “Pyramus and Thisby.”

Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius and Helena are young lovers whose star-crossed paths are arighted by Oberon and his fair helpmate Puck. Puck unites the diverse groups with his pranks of love and fancy to bemuse an audience with a dream of May Day merriment.

The cast is strong and well understands the play and Shakespeare’s intentions. Excellent are the artisans whose scenes steal the show.

Greg Easter, comedian in shows past, once again displays his comic talents as Nick Bottom the weaver. As human ass and enchanted one, Easter’s Bottom is a man of bombast and bluster. As Pyramus, the hero of the artisans’ play-within-the-play, he is a proper melodramatic diehard.

Dick Willis is the nervous carpenter Peter Quince and doubles as the slightly villainous father of Hermia, Edeus. As Quince the sputtering director of the amusingly dopey band of artisans Willis excels with shuffling step and stooped shoulders.

Michael Fleming is the lisp-afflicted tinker, Tom Snout, and Andrew Brewer plays a finger-in-mouth, slouched dullard, Snug, a joiner. Both are hysterical in their roles as Snout and Snug; both are just as funny as the wall and lion, respectively, in “Pyramus and Thisby.”

Richard Walters is Francis Flute, a bellows-mender who brings the house down unmending bellows as the dying Thisby, man, made heroine, of Theseus and Hippolyta’s nuptial entertainment.

Timothy Webb is a humorous Robin Starveling whose intellect seems challenged beyond its comprehension when he is assigned to portray the moon in his companions’ play.

The quartet of lovers, Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius and Helena are well played by John McCammon, Shelley Hoover, Darrell Osborne and Rebecca Imel. They create an affectionate and devoted foursome, except when sorely tried by circumstance.

McCammon is an intense and handsome Lysander, faithful to his Hermia, until Puck mischievously fixes his sight on Helena . Instantly McCammon’s Lysander is suitor to Helena and reveals a mean dislike of Hermia.

Hoover is a pouting child-like Hermia, a match to Osborne’s Demetrius. Their characterizations work well in the confusion and are complete with wide eyes, dramatic gestures and pleading voices.

Imel is very good as the bewildered Helena . Lovely but unloved, scorned and then pursued, Imel’s Helena believes herself the brunt of a mean joke by her trio of friends.

Chris Barr presents an imposing Oberon. His hands convey the magic of his powers as he halts mortals and charms fairies and fools. At times, however, Barr’s movements are too quick and words and majestic composure are lost.

Vickie Willis portrays a haughty Titania who refuses to be beguiled by her Oberon. Willis’ fairy queen, rigid in refusal, becomes a wilting fool infatuated with the mortal ass, Nick Bottom.

Mark Kellam is outstanding as Puck. Acrobatic and lythe, Kellam’s movement is sprightly and his fine-featured face appears a perfect Robin Goodfellow, made complete with pointed ears and brows.

Gary Imel and Darlene Druley are a regal pair as Theseus and Hippolyta.

The cast handles Shakespeare’s English and verse well though lines were noticeably missed in the final acts.

Costuming and makeup are very fine. Forest fairy royalty and Puck are bedecked with petals and leaves, bark and gossamer. Athenians wear dress appropriate to their position and artisans are outfitted in the motley-colored rags of buffoons.

Lacking in the production was the song, dance and music associated with the Shakespearean comedy. The fairy court occasionally was heard, but was not seen. Sound and technical effects need attention.

The set was sparse, leaving the lush enchantment of the forest up to the audience. Colored lighting and semi and demi-drops of transparent fabrics could have aided effects.

Overall, the production was very enjoyable with an excellent pace. No shadows did offend and the visions created by Summer Theater’s cast, which ranged from beautiful to absurd were always humorous in retelling Shakespeare’s famous “weak and idle theme.” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a happy culmination of a summer season offering varied and high quality entertainment.

The comedy will be performed again tonight with curtain time at 8 o’clock . Tickets are available at the door.