CHICAGO—Most theater buffs appreciate Shakespeare’s understanding of human nature and his inventive use of words, but he doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to plot a compelling story. That is one of the reasons why Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s “Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is fascinating for those who like a riveting tale.
Adapted and directed by Chicago Shakespeare’s artistic director Edward Hall, The Bard’s comedy has been streamlined to focus on plot. At 75 minutes, it still retains its magic, mischief, and memorable language, but because it’s been stripped down to essentials, we get a sharper story of its potion-crossed lovers.
Although the romantic comedy has been trimmed, Chicago Shakespeare has not skimped on its stagecraft. The theater company has gone all out to create a whimsical fairy tale set with an abundance of green foliage provided by set designer Alyssa Mohn; colorful costuming by Janelle Smith, which contributes to characterization; and music and sound design by composer Forrest Gregor, creating a magical atmosphere.
The play’s laugh-filled narrative moves swiftly. It has to in order to hold on to the attention of the youngsters for whom the play’s been adapted. Indeed, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s ongoing commitment is to engage youngsters and to educate them about the great English playwright. “Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night’s Dream” welcomes Midwest students from grades 4 to 12 to see the show on weekdays and the general public to see their Saturday morning shows.
Mixing Up the Lovers
The story starts with Hermia engaged to Demetrius, even though she really loves Lysander. Lysander loves her too until a spell turns his heart to Hermia’s best friend, Helena. These couples are joined by an Athenian king and queen, a fairy king and queen, a group of workers who want to put on a play, and a mischievous sprite named Puck who creates madcap chaos.The mayhem begins when Puck (Brenann Stacker), a playful sprite, gets his orders from fairy king Oberon (Scott Aiello) mixed up. Puck is supposed to drop an aphrodisiac potion into the eyes of a particular lover, but accidentally inserts the elixir into the wrong eyes. No longer does Lysander (Jordan Arredondo) love Hermia (Olivia Pryor); now he’s in love with Helena (Grace Steckler). Also, Oberon orders Puck to put the potion in the eye of his queen, Titania (Elizabeth Laidlaw), whom he wants to teach a lesson. She falls in love with a hee-hawing donkey.
Nothing seems to make sense but Lysander tries to rationalize what’s going on, saying, “The course of true love never did run smooth.” In addition, Helena tries to be reasonable when she says, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind.” This encapsulates the play’s understanding of love, which is presented as an irresistible magnetic force that cannot be explained.
All in Good Fun
Not only has the play’s length been reduced, but the ensemble of players has also been pared down. Some of the actors play more than one part.While all the performances are well done, Issy van Randwyck stands out as a hoot of an ass with whom Titania is smitten, and Stacker is beguiling as Puck, especially when making the most insightful comment on the human condition with “what fools these mortals be”—true in Shakespeare’s day and even truer today.
To add to the farce, Shakespeare included a hilarious subplot in which hardworking craftsmen called the “rude mechanicals” come up with a plan to put on the play “Pyramus and Thisbe” to entertain the King and Queen of Athens, Theseus and Hippolyta, as part of their wedding celebration.
This is the perfect show to introduce a child, a teen, or an adult to the joys of the literary works by the greatest writer in the English language. It’s also laugh-filled fun for those who are familiar with Shakespeare and want, once again, to be enchanted.
