Great Lakes Theater’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is deliriously funny

Since 1600 when it first hit the stage at the Globe Theatre in London, England, Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” has had a number of adaptations. Over the ages it has had music added (and subtracted), elaborate stage sets constructed, made into a movie a number of times, been modernized with colorful costuming and even had one production that involved The Beatles.

Even now, the play is extremely popular with schools, local companies and Shakespeare festivals. Currently, a non-profit company titled “Play On Shakespeare” has provided contemporary modern translations of 39 of the Bard’s works. The organization has commissioned dozens of playwrights and translators to transform the dialogue into easier to understand modern English. Rather than paraphrasing, the works are recreated with Shakespeare’s linguistic rigor with use of the same rhyme, rhythm, metaphor, meter, imagery, symbolism, rhetoric and structure in order to make the works more accessible to the current audiences. With the Great Lakes Theater production the modern verse translation is done by Jeff Whitty who does an outstanding job.

In Athens, Duke Theseus (Derek Garza) has announced his intent to marry Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons (Jessie Cope Miller). In the woods outside the city, Oberon, King of the Fairies (Derek Garza) and Titania, Queen of the Fairies (Jessie Cope Miller) are going through a rough patch in their relationship throwing the mortal and fairy worlds into a frenzy. Oberon wants Hippolyta’s Indian changling to serve him as a henchman rather than his wife’s servant. Meanwhile in the city, Egeus (M.A. Taylor) has gone to Theseus for help. It seems that his daughter, Hermia (Angela Utrera) is rebelling against her father’s choice of husband for her. Demetrius (Domonique Champion) is a nice guy but Hermia is just not into him. Instead she loves Lysander and her good friend, Helena (Royer Bokus) is madly in love with Demetrius who continuously spurns her advances. Hermia’s father has threatened Hermia with death or the convent if she does not obey his wishes.

All the while, a group of local tradesmen have formed an acting company with plans to perform at the Duke’s upcoming wedding. The company is made up of Quince, a carpenter (Jeffrey C. Hawkins), Bottom, a weaver (Nick Steen), Flute, a bellows mender (Nic Scott Hermick), Snout, a tinker (M.A. Taylor), Snug, a joiner (Jaedynn Latter) and Starveling, a tailor (Boe Wank). What they lack in thespian skills they make up for in enthusiasm and ham. Rounding out the cast is Philostrate, Master of Revels to Theseus (Joe Wegner).

With his home life at odds, Theseus decides to take matters into his own hands and with the help of Puck (Joe Wegner) hatches a scheme to win back his bride and have her release her. It involves the administration of a special flower’s juice to the eyes of a sleeping victim who upon awakening falls in love with the first person they see. In short order, Lysander, Demetrius and Queen Titania are administered the drug. Lysander sees Helena, Titania sees Bottom who has been given the head of an ass and Demetrius sees Helena and also falls in love with her.

Along with the changes in dialogue, the actors seem to have been given free rein on their various characters. Everyone takes great delight in playing the parts as broad as possible with hilarious results. There is slapstick, physical comedy and modern references (including a bit of song from Sondheim’s “Into The Woods” that is playing concurrently with “Midsummer” at the Hanna Theatre). It is Shakespeare as a madcap comedy with no holds barred. Judging by the audience reaction everyone was thoroughly entertained. Joe Wegner as Puck steals the show with his costume and antics. Royer Bokus as Helena is hilarious as the spurned lover and Nick Steen as Bottom is hilarious as the over enthusiastic actor and later ass.

This is truly not your parent’s (or for that matter your grandparent’s) Shakespeare. This is a madcap comic farce of the highest degree that will have you rolling in the aisles. Pay close attention to all the little “modern” references and nuances. Well worth the ticket...go see this work.

The Great Lakes production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer night’s Dream” will be on stage in the Hanna Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through October 27, 2024. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.greatlakestheater.org or call (216) 241-6000.