|
|
- November 13, 2006
Shakespeare comedy performed by ISU Theatre
-
On one hand there's this Duke who's preparing for his wedding. At the
same time two sets of couples are having their romantic cross-purposes
complicated by the play's fairyland woods where the King and Queen of
the Fairies preside and the impish character of Puck plies his trade.
Throw in another set of characters that are rehearsing a play to perform
at the Duke's wedding.
Complicated plot right?
"It sounds like a complex plot but this is perhaps Shakespeare's simplest
play," says ISU Theatre's Karla Kash. "The language is a little more simple
for the actors to understand and for audiences to understand."
Maybe that's why "A Midsummer Night's Dream" has proven to be
one of Shakespeare's most popular scripts over the past 400 years. ISU
Theatre will present the play that "still delights with wonder, magic
and romance" over two weekends in December.
Shakespeare's great romantic comedy depicts the adventures of two pairs
of lovers who flee Athens to find freedom and happiness in the forest.
A group of amateur actors also move through the enchanted moonlight woods
inhabited by mischievous fairies.
The comedy comes complete with fight scenes, fantasy, imagination and
even sexual undertones.
"'Midsummer Night's Dream' is a comedy that combines mystical elements
wit real live characters," says Kash, who is the play's director.
"The language is delicious and to me it's sexy, dangerous and exciting
at the same time.
"As a director I'll listen to the words and it's so exciting. No
other playwright matches Shakespeare's gift for language and that's evident
in this play."
Kash says "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is much more accessible,
both to the actors and the audience, than other Shakespeare works.
"Even with four different plots happening it's a pretty simple show,"
she said. "The characters are all fun down to the smallest role.
Everyone on stage is having fun. I think people will be pleasantly surprised
at how easily they can follow the script."
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" will be presented by ISU Theatre
Dec. 1-2 and 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Dec. 3 and 10 in
Fisher Theater. Tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for
students. Tickets are available at all TicketMaster locations and the
Iowa State Center Ticket Office.
Actors in the production include Veronica Skaar, Cobweb; Nathan Zobel,
Demetrius; Derek Paper, Egeus; Jenae Hobein, First Fairy; William Mort,
Francie Flute; Mariana Seda, Hermia; Kim Chelf, Hippolyta; Brendan Dunphy,
Lysander; Katy Bird, Moth; Lindsey Osborne, Mustard Seed; Michael Rubke,
Nick Bottom; Jordan Whalen, Oberon; Amanda Mullen, Peter Quince; Malary
Harris, Philostrate; Ellis Wells, Puck; Justine Year, Robin Starveling;
Jason Pollard, Snug; Phil Henry, Theseus; Genya Coffey, Titania; and Katherine
Sterns, Tom Snout.
Colin Houseal, Brad Pingel, Steven Vander Linden and Jeff Davies all play
the role of Male Fairy.
|
|
