Reviews: A Midsummer Night's Dream at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School
Written by Alex Elders of McLean High School
"The course of true love never did run smooth." As a sleepy purple light washes across the stage, a glowing golden spotlight illuminates a classically Athenian set. Lush vegetation curls around intricate spiral staircases. The faint chirping of birds and the humming of crickets floats through the auditorium, almost like a dream. Welcome to St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" was written by William Shakespeare around 1595. Over 430 years later, it is often considered the best of the Shakespearean comedies. The play is renowned for its three unique subplots. First, a love square between young suitors Helena, Hermia, Demetrius, and Lysander. Second, the fairy king Oberon's employment of the mischievous Puck to use a love potion on his fairy queen Titania. And third, a motley theater troupe rehearsing to perform at the wedding of the human Duke and Queen. These strands weave together in the enchanted woods outside of Athens, where an absurdist and magical tale of tomfoolery unfolds.
From the moment Max Gehlhoff and Mairin Boyce take the stage as Theseus and Hippolyta, their dynamic lures the audience into the world of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." From an electrifying swordfight to an intimate discussion between young fiancés, their chemistry shone as soon as the curtain opened. The clever double-casting of this dynamic duo as Oberon and Titania attests to the talent of both actors. The differences in mannerisms and demeanor between Gehlhoff and Boyce's portrayals of humans and fairies guided the audience from the prim and proper human castle into the whimsical world of the fairies.
Freya Greene's Puck was a magnetic presence the second she was illuminated on a perch in the audience. Her movements flowed between rhythmic and inhuman in a way that perfectly encapsulated the mischievous pixie. Greene was a bubbly and eye-catching presence, even when Puck was invisible to the other characters. Another stand-out performance was delivered by Anderson Wexler. In an impressive stage debut, Wexler's riotous portrayal of Nick Bottom had the audience roaring at just the sight of his false mustache and ridiculous hat. Every flamboyant delivery hit, and Wexler was a refreshing presence in every scene he appeared in.
A myriad of technical elements blended together to plunge the audience into the Athenian woods. As soon as the curtain opened, the five moons arcing above the stage drew the audience's eye. Representing the five acts in the play, the phases of the moon were illuminated one by one to show the passage of time. This creative choice was not only a beautiful addition to the stage but also displayed the progression of the story. The Dreamy Scenic Design Team also made the innovative decision to rig portions of white curtain to represent intricate columns. This design allowed for the columns to be easily moved back and forth, giving the set an ever-changing and fluid structure.
Willa Johnson, Wren Weidenfeller, Sarah Eisenberg, and the costume team went above and beyond in their designs. Their choice to blend post-World War I attire and iconic fantasy dress was a bold but effective choice. The elegant florals of Titania's dress fit perfectly with Nick Bottom's wide-brim hat and suspenders, which fit with the black tailcoats of the wedding. The delicate mosaic of costumes they created stood out in every scene.
The tireless work of the cast and crew of St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" produced a moving and visually stunning story that reminds us that love will persevere, everyone is connected, and not to trust impish sprites.
Written by Eliana Armentrout of Oakton High School
They say that deep in the forest, there is a place where time moves differently, where fairies frolic, and where the people are just a little prone to madness. It is in this magical setting that we encounter the four love-struck heroes- Hermia, Helena, Lysander, and Demetrius at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School's production of the Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream.
William Shakespeare wrote this play in around 1595 or 1596, and it would go on to become one of his most famous works. The play inspired many adaptations, including ballets, operas, and a concert overture by famous composer Felix Mendelssohn (which included the iconic "Wedding March"!). A Midsummer Night's Dream tells the convoluted tale of the citizens of Athens, Greece, as well as the kingdom of fairies that reside in a nearby forest. Shakespeare weaves together three subplots throughout the play- the story of the four lovers, the story of the fairy Queen Titania and King Oberon's troubled marriage, and the antics of a troupe of actors performing a play for the marriage of Duke Theseus and his bride-to-be Queen Hippolyta.
Starring as the four lovers, Hermia (Reesey Lai), Lysander (Angus Argetsinger), Helena (Janney Cooper), and Demetrius (Jackson Sipple-Asher) were a joy to watch, both individually and as a group. The four actors mastered the complex interactions between the four characters, with each interaction between characters feeling completely convincing and simultaneously fresh. Lai's Hermia was feisty and spirited, with unique and compelling line delivery. Janney Cooper, who played Hermia's best friend and rival Helena, had outstanding line delivery and flawless chemistry with every actor she interacted with. Argetsinger played the devoted Lysander with impeccable timing, balancing the more serious Demetrius (Sipple-Asher) perfectly.
Max Gehlhoff and Mairin Boyce played the rulers of the fairy kingdom, King Oberon and Queen Titania. Boyce played the regal Queen Titania perfectly and carried herself with all the haughtiness of a true queen. Gehlhoff's Oberon was a faultless companion to Titania, matching her regal air with his own imposing line delivery. Queen Titania's other "lover", Nick Bottom, was played by the hysterically funny Anderson Wexler. Wexler was able to maintain high energy throughout the show, a truly impressive feat.
The Dreamy Scenic Design Team brought the forest to life with their vine-draped sets. The versatile forest set pieces were moved around the stage throughout the production, revealing several clever nooks and crannies for mischievous fairies to hide in. Willa Johnson, Wren Weidenfeller, Sarah Eisenberg, and the costume team's beautiful costume pieces were incredibly well thought out and designed, creating cohesive aesthetics for the fairies and the Athenians. The team dressed the human characters in fashion inspired by the era between 1917 and 1919, while the fairies wore a more traditional fantasy style.
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream transported the audience to a world of fairies and elves, where reality is not quite clear and where anyone could fall in love.