Midsummer

A Midsummer Night's Dream will always have a special place in my heart, as it was the first show I stage managed. As such, I was practically obligated to see the Short Shakespeare incarnation of this show at Chicago Shakespeare. Also, it's the only series of shows at that venue that I can afford, unless there are deals on main stage tickets (so much for the Scottish play).

The costumes were updated to a contemporary style, with the lovers sporting prep school uniform styled costumes, Theseus and Hippolyta wearing stylish and elegant outfits, and the mechanicals maintaining their role as comic relief in more silly outfits. Puck, however, resembled the Batman villain Riddler in a white suit and Derby hat. Oberon and Titania looked out of place in Marie Antoinette styled garb, and their puppet attendant fairies did not match their outfits at all. I was confused as to that choice of costumes, and it really distracted me from their abilities as actors.

The set was simple yet functional, a necessity when dealing with a script whose location changes constantly to accomodate the ever-changing plotlines. Lights and music were nothing outstanding and served their respective purposes.

I found Hermia and Titania difficult to understand because they didn't project well, nor did they articulate particularly well either. Helena, on the other hand, added a touch of personal flair to the role and did a fantastic job. Puck was delightfully mischevious and just goofy enough- too much more and he would've grossly overdone it. The mechanicals were fantastic and provided wonderful comic relief from the serious stretches of the play- I was in stitches throughout the play within a play due to the props and great overacting (I'm of the opinion that you need to know how to act in order to know how to overact and these people KNEW how to overact).

Overall, the show was fairly good, but again, nothing outstanding. Certainly not as good as when I stage managed it......... ;-)

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