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Cedar City • A gigantic willow tree fills the stage. Tiny faces peer out at the audience from its cascade of thousands of green leaves. These are the fairies of Titania's court, and their exuberance and innocence set the tone for the Utah Shakespeare Festival's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
This opening image encapsulates the fusion of large and small, nature and magic that lies at the heart of the play. Like the lovers in "Midsummer," characters in Shakespeare's comedies often go to the woods. Here they cast off the restrictions of their society and discover what's important and who they really are.
But the woods in "Midsummer" are slightly different. The presence of the fairies and their mischievous magic creates a chaos that characters must experience and resolve to reach self-knowledge. Almost all the play's action takes place at night, when the rational world gives way to dreams and the fairies take control. The forest becomes a place where everything is translated and transformed: the lovers switch allegiances, Bottom turns into an ass, and Titania is bewitched into falling in love with him. As morning approaches, the magic is lifted, and characters see with new clarity. Ironically, Bottom, the least sophisticated, expresses what happens best: "I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream past the wit of man to say what dream it was."
What is the difference between dreams and reality, and how does one inform the other? That is the play's core question and also provides the peg Shakespeare uses to unite the three strands of the plot: the lovers, the rustics, and the fairies.
Having festival founder Fred Adams direct this production works well because his puckish sense of humor matches the play's anarchic comedy. The relationships among the lovers are funnier and more physical than usual, and his decision to cast children as the fairies is charming. As the lovers, Betsy Mugavero, Matt Mueller, Bri Sudia, and AJ Smithey are a well-matched ensemble. Mugavero's feisty, impetuous Hermia offsets Sudia's earthy, sardonic Helena, and Smithey's dogged, determined Demetrius contrasts with Mueller's spontaneous and quixotic Lysander. All four handle the physical comedy well; especially funny is the moment when Demetrius and Lysander surround Helena like a sandwich.
As often happens, Theseus/Oberon and Hippolyta/Titania are double cast. Kymberly Mellen deftly differentiates her regal, sensual Titania from her strong-minded, outspoken Hippolyta, but Elijah Alexander is less successful. He captures Theseus' mix of authority and generosity, but his Oberon lacks the light touch of a fairy, and his line readings sound almost mechanical. His heavy, black costume isn't flattering and doesn't help.
As Puck, Ben Charles is a playful, never-motionless ball of energy, and whether braying his lines or outrageously overacting as Pyramus, Max Robinson is hilarious as Bottom. Rhett Guter is equally silly as Thisbe.
Donna Ruzika's tiny flickering lights richly complement Bill Forrester's willow tree, and Janet Swenson's elegant, color-coordinated costumes are some of her best ever. Titania's train is truly fit for a queen.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" gets the Utah Shakespeare Festival off to a buoyant start. This family-friendly production is not only delightful but also a great way to introduce children to Shakespeare.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Bottom line • The Utah Shakespeare Festival launches its 50th anniversary season with a charming and fun-filled production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
When • ReviewedWednesday; in rotating repertory with two other productions Mondays through Saturdays at 8 and afternoons at 2 through Sept. 3
Where • Utah Shakespeare Festival on the campus of Southern Utah University, 300 West and Center Street, in Cedar City
Running time • Two hours and 45 minutes (including an intermission)
Tickets • $22 -$71 with discounts for groups, students, and seniors. Tickets and information available at (800) PLAYTIX (752-9849) or http://www.bard.org