APT Theater Review: "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"

by Alarice McPark, age 13

Two mischievous couples, fairies, and a band of disastrous players. The Simpson Street Free Press student writers traveled to Spring Green, Wisconsin, to watch the charming production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” put on by the American Players Theater (APT).

The play by William Shakespeare, written around the mid-1500s, is set in Ancient Greece but has a more fable-like quality. There are three main conflicts: the lovers, the fairies, and the players.

Act 1, Scene 1 features the lovers. Egeus (played by David Alan Anderson) is forcing his daughter, Hermia (Samantha Newcomb), to marry Demetrius (Josh Krause). Luckily, Hermia and her lover Lysander (Xavier Edward King) escape to Athens. Meanwhile, Helena (Maggie Cramer), Hermia’s best friend, unrequitedly swoons over Demetrius and eventually follows him as he trails after Hermia and Lysander.

In the woods, Oberon (Jim DeVita), the king of fairies, plots to get back at his wife, Titania (Elizabeth Ledo), for their earlier squabble. He calls upon his loyal yet mischievous servants, the Pucks (played by Joshua M. Castille and Casey Hoekstra). In the original play, Puck is portrayed as a single entity, but APT creatively shows him as two fairies sharing lines and acting as one fluid character.

Within the subplot, the band of players is instructed to perform “Pyramus and Thisbe” (a Greek play similar to “Romeo and Juliet”) for the wedding of Theseus (Marcus Truschinski) and Hippolyta (Melisa Pereyra). Peter Quince (Sun Mee Chomet), the group's leader, decides the cast. Nick Bottom (Sam Luis Massaro), Francis Flute (James Ridge), Robin Starveling (Colin Covert), Tom Snout (Molly Martinez-Collins), and Snug (Joshua M. Castille) argue over who gets which role. Bottom, ambitious and eager, demands to play all parts himself, portraying each character. The cast is ultimately chosen by drawing lots. They head into the woods to rehearse, but things are not smooth sailing. As with most Shakespearean comedies, even minor characters face conflict.

Meanwhile, Oberon schemes to use a love potion to make Titania fall in love with a beast. However, the Pucks accidentally curse Lysander in his sleep instead. Chaos erupts as Lysander pines for Helena, and complications escalate.

The Pucks try to curse Titania again, but mistakenly enchant Demetrius. Both Lysander and Demetrius then pursue Helena, leading to a feud. Eventually, the Pucks enchant Titania to fall for Nick Bottom, who has been transformed into a donkey, or in this case, an ass.

American Players Theater did a phenomenal job capturing the humor, vibrancy, and sarcasm of the original “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Despite the wind at the outdoor stage, the cast’s diction and volume remained clear. Their acting and movements were fluid and natural.

Director David Daniel and costume designer Daniele Tyler Mathews chose a Medieval or Renaissance-era costume style, despite the play’s setting in Ancient Greece. This choice bothered me due to the historical inaccuracy, considering Athens–and Greece itself- was not reestablished until 1830, during the Georgian era.

All cast members performed admirably, but the standout was the Pucks. Their synchronized movements made them seem like two halves of one soul. A notable detail they added was the use of sign language: ASL and small hand gestures flowed seamlessly.

Another character who stole the show was Nick Bottom. Sam Luis Massaro’s portrayal left a strong impression with his clear voice, precise diction, and expressive mannerisms.

Overall, APT did a fantastic job bringing out the mischief and humor of Shakespeare’s play while adding unique touches that elevated the performance. Director David Daniel and Assistant Director Lindsay Welliver led the production brilliantly. Numerous other designers and specialists helped maintain the magic, including costume designer Daniele Tyler Matthews; lighting designer Michael A. Peterson; scenic designer Nathan Studer; music composer and sound designer Sartje Pickett; choreographer Brian Cowing; movement, fight, and intimacy director Jeb Burris; stage manager Rivka Kelly; and ASL interpreters Havalah Grace Teaman and Caden Zane Marshall.

This staging of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” truly was a classic, and the enchanting staging captured the otherworldly spirit of this Shakespearean story. The play runs at American Players Theatre until October 5th, and tickets can be purchased on their website.

[Sources: American Players Theatre; Shakespeare’s Globe]