Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park brings a groovy vibe to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
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Always a superb selection for a giddy evening of theatrical merriment, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's new production of "A Midsummer Summer Night's Dream" proves particularly groovy thanks to its setting in the late 1960s.
Inspired by The Beatles' 1964 performance of the beloved show's play-within-the-play "Pyramus and Thisbe" for the taping of a British television special, director Erin Woods makes the far-out creative choice to shift the enchanted action in William Shakespeare's perennially popular comedy from ancient times to the mid-20th century.
It's a move that works largely because of the fashion-forward director's obviously careful and close collaboration with costume designer Anwen Wenger, although the sourcing of a vintage Vespa also helps to the set the stage.
The first outdoor show of its 40th anniversary season, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park’s latest staging of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” continues through June 30 in its Shakespeare Gardens Outdoor Amphitheatre in the Paseo Arts District. Here's what you need to know about the show:
What is 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' about?
With the shift in setting, Oklahoma Shakespeare's new take on The Bard's classic comedy starts in 1960s London, with Bellah Crawford's Philostrate dressed in a smart retro flight attendant's uniform and assisting passengers on a flight to Athens, Greece. That's where preparations are underway for the royal wedding of Theseus (Paxton Kliewer), Duke of Athens, to Hippolyta (Tiffany Tuggle), Queen of the Amazons.
But the couple's flirty banter is interrupted by drama: One of the duke's young subjects, Hermia (Abigail Schmitz), pleads that she's in love Lysander (Lucas Schrantz), but her father Egeus (Jimmy Pike), demands that she marry Demetrius (Karam Alkhatib), calling on the nobleman to upload ancient Athenian law and sentence his daughter to death if she fails to comply.
Adding to the complications, Hermia's friend Helena (Olivia Akers) is in love with Demetrius, who scorns her.
When Theseus tells Hermia that she must either obey her father or choose a life of chaste worship of the goddess Diana — to the consternation of the duke's Amazonian bride — Hermia and Lysander flee into the nearby woods, followed by Demetrius and Helena.
But the forest already is beset by conflict, as the rulers of the fairy kingdom — King Oberon and Queen Titania (Kliewer and Tuggle again) — are quarreling over the fate of a foundling child, which one of the queen's followers has left in her care. Oberon wants to take the baby and raise it as his page, so he enlists his shape-shifting sidekick Puck (Crawford) to create magical mayhem to those ends.
Meanwhile, an amateur theater troupe, led by the frazzled carpenter Quince (Alix Golden) and the overconfident weaver Bottom (Thomas Chavira), are searching the woods for a rehearsal space so they can stage the play "Pyramus and Thisbe" for the royal wedding.
With so many characters wandering through one mystical forest, it doesn't take long for supernatural shenanigans to ensue. Almost every actor plays more than one role, and each player seems to wholeheartedly embrace the challenges, the hijinks and the groovy vibe of the show.
Why is 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' a perfect pick for children and Shakespeare newbies?
Oklahoma Shakespeare last performed The Bard's spellbinding and side-splitting comedy in summer 2021, as the first show in its Paseo outdoor performance space, but honestly, this is one classic that never really gets old.
With its madcap comedy and magical elements, the all-ages show is the perfect pick for children as well as theatergoers who are sampling Shakespeare for the first time.
Plus, the woodsy setting of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" makes it a terrific title for the "in the park" experience, and patrons are encouraged to bring picnics. Although no outside drinks are allowed, the concession stand, aka The Mermaid Tavern, offers a nice selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages as well as snacks.
The Shakespeare Gardens are still a work in progress and could use more shady trees, but the high wooden fencing provides some shade until the sun goes down. The summer temperatures can make the start of the show a little too sweaty for total comfort, but as the sun sets and dusk takes over, it's an almost enchanted theatrical experience.
'A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM'
When: Through June 30.
Where: Shakespeare Gardens Outdoor Amphitheatre, 2920 Paseo.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Shakespeare's new 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' gets groovy
