Masterworks Theater Company

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

47th Street Theater
304 West 47th Street
NY NY 10036

5-28 June 2015

Directed by Tamilla Woodard

It is such a cliché to do A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in the summer. It’s a great opportunity to bring in a film/television star who wants some theater cred by doing some Shakespeare, and it pulls in box office receipts for a theater. How refreshing, then, to see a production of relatively not-famous actors diving in and bringing this Dream to such delightful life.

Directed by Tamilla Woodard with verve and joy, this Midsummer is an exhilarating romp that should easily achieve the Masterworks Theater’s goals of igniting a younger generation’s love of live theater. From the non-generic ingénues showing off feisty physical comedy chops (Sheria Irving, Hermia, and Becca Ballinger, Helena) to the tiniest scene-stealer, Em Grosland, the cast is universally adorable. Also outstanding are Nick Clearly as a sweetly devious Puck, and Warren Jackson making a frenziedly funny Bottom. Many of the cast play multiple parts and each little character has its own charm. You will want to take each and every one of them home with you so you can watch them instead of television every night!

The staging is fun, but not confusing (no easy feat), the costumes are eclectic and perfectly suited for each character, and all are aided by the clever and multifunctional set. The music and sound design are marvelous and add a layer of richness to what is a deceptively simple production.

Let us hope that Masterworks Theater Company produces more classics in this vein. It will enrich theatergoing for all generations!

- Jean Tait -