Reviews: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Annandale High School
Written by Erin Allen of Bishop Ireton High School
When Athenian lovers, fairies of English folklore, and a mischievous acting troupe meet in the starlit woods, what could possibly go wrong? Moonlight becomes the spotlight in Annandale High School's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, where chaos and magic collide as Shakespeare's classic comedy of love, misunderstanding, and enchantment is presented in its full glory.
A Midsummer Night's Dream was penned by William Shakespeare between 1594 and 1596, quickly becoming one of his most popular plays. In subsequent centuries, it has gathered several adaptations in film, opera, and beyond. The beloved comedy is set in Athens prior to Theseus and Hippolyta's marriage, following a troupe of actors rehearsing a play to be performed at the wedding, as well as four quarreling Athenian lovers in a forest. Both groups are subject to the schemes of the forest's fairies, who manipulate the humans into confusing love triangles for their own control and entertainment. Through lovers' spats and misunderstandings, Shakespeare shares poignant themes of the unpredictability of love, making A Midsummer Night's Dream such a timeless tale.
The cast of players at Annandale High School displayed both impressive abilities to deliver difficult Shakesperean text, as well as deep understandings of their respective characters. This was especially evident among the Athenian lovers: Kathleen Tran as Hermia, Cecilia Marigliano as Helena, Marcello Canniff as Demetrius, and Juan Rosales Pazos as Lysander. Tran perfectly embodied Hermia's grace and playful infatuation with Lysander, using strong physicality to express Hermia's frustrations as misunderstandings block her from love. Opposite Tran, Marigliano exemplified Helena's devotions and insecurities through a series of expertly delivered monologues. Marigliano's longing for love was palpable throughout the show, making Helena's happy conclusion with Demetrius immensely heartwarming. As Demetrius and Lysander, respectively, Canniff and Rosales Pazos played a brilliant contrast between their characters' normal behaviors and their enchantment under the fairies' spells, making for hilarious moments as they pined for the same maiden.
Adding another layer of comedy to the show were the Rude Mechanicals. Each member of this troupe displayed a unique and endearing personality, most notably Pascual Aguilar Rodriguez as the fantastically extravagant Nick Bottom. Aguilar Rodriguez stole the show with every stomp, shout, and bellowed line that displayed Bottom's comical confidence. Alongside Bottom was Lucy Baboyian as Titania, Queen of the Fairies. From Titania's first moments, Baboyian commanded the stage with a regal presence and impeccable diction. Baboyian also displayed incredible range, switching from authoritative to passionate and silly when Titania is enchanted to fall in love with Bottom. The pair's scenes together were a highlight of the show, emphasizing the story's comedic chaos.
The many technical groups of Annandale High School came together to craft a whimsical mood for their production, especially seen in Liliana Torres's sound design. Torres handpicked Celtic folk music to underscore scene transitions, as well as special chime effects that played during the fairies' casting of spells, which heightened the magical elements of the show. Additionally, all of the characters' microphones were perfectly leveled and operated, making the Shakesperean text ring out clearly. Also enhancing the mystic tone of the show were Marcello Canniff and the Lighting Design Team. Using backlights, moving spotlights, textured gobos, and rich color washes, they framed the Athenians' love and drama with increased emotion, while the fairies' magic was shrouded in mythic opulence, immersing the audience in the forest's many different worlds.
The forest may be enchanted, but in Annandale High School's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, the real magic happened onstage, leaving the audience with abundant whimsical joy as lovers wed and fairies flew off into the moonlight.
Written by Madelyn Regan of Centreville High School
Eager fairies are aflutter and unexpected love is abrew... throw in a donkey's head for good measure, and let the chaos ensue. Welcome to Annandale High School's fanciful production of A Midsummer Night's Dream: a whirlwind of love, chaos, mischief, and no shortage of magic.
A 16th-century Shakespeare classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream has become a regional and high school staple. The five act play follows a series of interwoven narratives: the tangled affections of four Athenian lovers, the preparations of a wedding play gone awry, and the spiteful plots of a fairy king. Throw in the well-intentioned meddling of a young sprite, and it isn't long before love blooms in the most unexpected places.
Right on cue, the Athenians stumbled onto the scene. Leading the way were the bubbly Hermia (Kathleen Tran) and lovestruck Lysander (Juan Rosales Pazos), who meandered through the forest with giddy giggles and adoring gazes. The pining Helena (Cecilia Marigliano) and cocky Demetrius (Marcello Canniff) were close to follow, and juggled quick-witted banter in a dynamic display of unrequited love. Together, all four performers had palpable chemistry, and their Shakespearean confessions were made clear through crisp diction and bold physicality.
Exhausted by their antics, the Athenians finally drifted off to sleep... and on the other side of the forest, Titania (Lucy Baboyian) slowly awakened among the trees. Striding across the stage with a powerful presence and booming commands, Baboyian displayed refreshing sass in the role of the fairy queen. When cast under a spell of love, Baboyian became unrecognizable; instead of brandishing confident smirks, she exploded into childlike claps and fits of laughter. The fantastically foolish apple of her eye, Nick Bottom (Pascual Aguilar Rodriguez), was positively bursting with ego. If Baboyian captured the audience's utmost captivation, Rodriguez stole every ounce of their laughter. From staggering around the stage in a flowery donkey head to executing a death scene so comically vigorous it'd make the Bard blush, Rodriguez spared no expense to go above and beyond.
The pitter-patter of feet and flutter of wings announced a clan of fairies, who joyfully skittered about the trees. They danced with colorful silks, sailed down a playground slide, and charmed flower beds to literally bloom onto the stage; every aspect of the set (Lucas Torres and the Tech Theatre Class) was teeming with childlike wonder. To elevate the whimsical surroundings, the costume team (Sophia Demers and Kathleen Tran) adorned each sprite with intricate, flower-studded garments, and collaborated with the props team (Fiona Raymer, Renna Charles, Ellie Henken) to craft unique pairs of wings. As the hardworking fairies finally retired among the moss and trees, theatrical backlighting (Marcello Canniff and the Lighting Dream Team) completed the immersive atmosphere by casting a stunning sense of depth over the forest.
It's the nature of a dream to twist and turn, oftentimes revealing parts of ourselves we didn't know were there. By the final glimpse of moonlight, Annandale High School's A Midsummer Night's Dream had successfully led the audience through a garden of unexpected paths, with each cast member's wild departure more exciting than the last.