The Course of True Love

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Did you know that, in addition to being a prolific poet, actor and theatrical director/producer, the Elizabethan playwright William Shakespeare wrote 37 plays? And among his dramas, histories and comedies, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is quite possibly still the hands-down favorite today. It probably earned its high berth on the Bard’s hit parade because of all the high-spirited hijinks that fill the stage. Certainly that’s true in BrightSide Theatre’s current campy, comic production, adapted and Directed by talented guest artist, Jason Harrington. His production is filled with slapstick and silliness, buffoonery and burlesque, physical humor and pure ridiculousness. Only a production of the Bard’s A COMEDY OF ERRORS would come off with such absurd nonsense and horseplay.  

The comedy is also rather chauvinistic, by contemporary standards, and asserts that marriage is the true fulfillment of romantic love. Perhaps that’s true. However, Shakespeare’s comedy also clearly demonstrates that love is seldom, if ever, easy. “The course of true love never did run smooth,” says Lysander, one of the four young Athenian lovers, articulating the play’s truest of its themes. Since magic and mystical mayhem abound in this play, with fairies and sprites, spells and potions creating havoc, another theme of the play is that things are not necessarily what they seem to be.

In Jason Harrington’s fast-paced farce comedy is definitely what it seems to be. Most of the characters aren’t more than two-dimensional caricatures, whose job it is to provide lots of laughs. And, in the world we’re living in nowadays, who can ask for anything more? As winter truly begins to release its hold on Chicagoland, and more and more flowers can be seen blooming, Mr. Harrington’s delightful production is a welcome promise of the warm nights and pastoral adventures to come.

Shakespeare’s play, which is slightly condensed, is probably familiar to most theatergoers. The comedy weaves together three stories: a quarrel between the king and queen of the fairies, four young Athenian lovers trying to sort out their affections and a group of six amateur actors who are rehearsing a play for the Duke. All three plots play out in the forest under a full moon, and are connected through the marriage between Duke Theseus of Athens, and his lovely bride-to-be, Hippolyta. Naturally, complications arise which provide the basis for comedy.

Jason Harrington’s large cast is skilled and quite good, with some standout performances along the way. Making her BrightSide debut, lovely Abby Naden is a very strong and truly eloquent Hermia, closely matched by Jill Shoemaker as her childhood friend and romantic rival, Helena. Both actresses seem to have a field day, whether sparring with each other or spurning their unwanted pursuers. Returning to BrightSide after his fine performance in DEATHTRAP, Tyler Szarabajka’s handsome and high-powered  Lysander sharply catches the eye and ear. And, as Demetrius, Jack Baust makes a cerebral and strong-willed young suitor. All four talented actors are articulate and understand that in Shakespeare “the play is the thing.” They not only create mighty, memorable characters, they skillfully paint Shakespeare’s picturesque images with their words and gestures. Playing two roles, Chicagoland Shakespearean actor Jason Lacombe makes a handsome and imposing Duke Theseus. Also portraying two characters, his lovely bride Hippolyta, as played by Gina Phillips (STEEL MAGNOLIAS, NOT NOW DARLING) and creates a wily, winsome and worthy ruling partner.

Jake Harrison Murphy is lithe and wonderfully whimsical as the playful pixie, Puck. The young actor navigates the stage and aisles with the grace and speed of a trained dancer, and his silver-tongued line delivery is flawless. Lacombe portrays a sensuous and commanding Oberon, bending every human and fairy minion to his will. Ms. Phillips creates a lusty Titania, as comfortable dancing and frolicking with her spritely attendants, as she romances a mere mortal.

The Rude Mechanicals provide some comic moments as they rehearse and present their “Tale of Pyramus and Thisbe.” Nick Bottom is nicely played by Scott Kelley (DEATHTRAP, SPAMALOT), although he sometimes becomes excessively loud and a bit overblown for this intimate venue. But that only serves to make his character the obnoxious fellow that audiences expect. Costume Designer  Cheryl Newman’s subtle donkey head, hooves and tail for Bottom’s dream is wisely unobtrusive, but effective. Making her BrightSide debut, Sarah B.T. Thiel’s Peter Quince is a standout as the strong leader of the acting troupe. And Nicholas Switzer, also in his first BrightSide role, has some delightful moments as Flute, particularly when playing Thisbe in drag. The only problem is that his high-pitched female voice is hard to understand.

Often thought to be Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, BrightSide Theatre offers an entertaining and slightly abbreviated production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Most of the Elizabethan songs add a nice touch and are well-performed; however, the extended song-and-dance at the end of the play went on far too long and didn’t add much to the comedy.

Jason Harrington’s tight adaptation and adept direction, along with some excellent comic acting, make this enchanting comedy even more alluring and magical. If response is enthusiastic, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM may be just the first of many Shakespearean comedies at BrightSide. Presented with clarity and understanding, this production is a fairy tale treat. Amid all the magic and mayhem, Mr. Harrington’s production reminds us that the course of true love is often anything but smooth, while it awakens a promise that warmer weather and romance are just around the corner.      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented April 25-May 11 by BrightSide Theatre, performed at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 630-447-8497 or by going to www.brightsidetheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com