“A Midsummer Night's Dream” has been done before, in fact, it may be even more performed then “Romeo & Juliet” due to its lack of dead teenagers. Luckily, under the direction of Bruce Speas, the Longwood University theatre department was able to breathe new life into an old story. With a combination of modern day and classic costumes, fun choreography and actors with great comedic timing, this interpretation of a classic play managed to feel brand new. Add a creative lighting design that was more Tron then it was Globe Theatre, and you have a recipe for a truly fresh and fun interpretation.
Maggie Willaims played Hippolyta/Titania; having her play both roles was a very smart move. Not only did it aid in telling the story, but Williams also has the talent and undeniable stage presence to pull it off. Williams played both characters with a kind of regality and subtlety rarely seen in young actors. Her prowess as a dancer did not go unmissed during scenes in which choreography was used. Plus, her ability to play it straight during more comedic scenes made them all the more hilarious.
Trent Williams played Theseus/Oberon, again the double casting proved to be a wise choice. Trent is clearly a talented comedic actor, as showcased through his role in not only this production, but also is his hilarious role in the theatre department’s past production of “Evil Dead: The Musical.” However, his true talent lies in his ability to personify a character through movements. Watching Trent portray Theseus versus Oberon was a truly captivating transformation.
Lorin Turner played Hermia and embodied the famous line "Though she be but little, she is fierce." Though the part of Hermia can be a little boring due to the fact that she seems to be the only character without a larger than life personality, Turner managed to make it interesting. The contrast between Turner's sweetly in love Hermia and her bitter, scorned Hermia really showcased her range as an actor.
The role of Helena is a deceptively tricky one to play, you must be over the top, but not so annoying that the audience loses interest. Abbie Swanson managed to pull this off beautifully, playing a Helena that made the audience laugh, but also made them genuinely feel for her. When fate finally smiled on Helena, Swanson made you genuinely root for her.
Lysander and Demetrius were played by Corwin Donnell and Jimmy Mello respectively. The chemistry they had with their female co-stars was sufficient, but the chemistry that they had with each other was what really stood out. The scenes in which Donnell and Mello had to play bitter enemies was like watching two Disney princes duke it out. If ever Longwood decided to put on “Into The Woods,” these are the guys that should be called on to perform Agony.
Puck is a fairly iconic role and Jordan Howell certainly did the part justice. Though there were a few missed opportunities for laughs, for the most part Howell kept the audience in stitches with her version of the mischievous fairy creature.
The entire group of talented actors who played a group of not so talented actors in “A Midsummer Night's Dream” were an absolute joy to watch. The final scene in which they get to perform their subpar play in front of a captive audience had some of the funniest moments of the entire performance. The oversized sword used in the pho-death scenes should be nominated for a tony for best supporting actor. However, no performer quite stole the show like that of Alex Johnson in his role as Bottom.
Johnson was truly the comedic stand out in the show, mostly due to his level of commitment to the jokes. It is no easy task to make audiences laugh hysterically all while speaking in old English and wearing a giant donkey mask. Johnson pulled this off and stole almost every scene he was featured in.
The culmination of the hard work put in by the cast, crew and creative team of “A Midsummer Night's Dream” makes it a performance that should not be missed. From the obviously intense behind the scenes work, to the actors on stage, it is a show that will be remembered long after you leave the theatre.
