The Ohio Shakespeare Festival is celebrating its 20th year under the stars at Stan Hywet. The quaint and versatile multi-level stage is nestled in the tall trees and lagoon area and backdropped by the stone wall that climbs up to the Tea Houses. It is not difficult to be transported back to the Shakespearean age. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the perfect play for the environment.
From the parking lot, the entrance to the play area is lit with white lights and the elements of the greenhouse and surrounding garden displays create a fairytale-like walk down to the lagoon. We purchased online tickets which we printed out to be scanned upon entry. No programs were handed out to reduce human contact in the Covid era, but their website provides the actors’ bios. No masks were required, although several people did wear them with the Delta variant on the rise. Ticket sales were arranged to leave an empty seat between separate parties to allow extra spacing and made for a comfortable evening.
Beginning at 7:30, the Greenshow comes on stage with songs and sword fighting to entertain the audience as they grab a drink and a snack and find their seats. At 8:00 the Greenshow transitions into the play. There are three sections of seating, leaving the players two aisles to use as stage entrances and exits, as well as provide an opportunity for interaction with the audience.
A Midsummer Nights Dream is a comedy filled with mischievous characters, including Oberon (King of Fairyland) and Puck (the joker) who devise a plan to use the love juices of a flower to trick Titania (Queen of Fairyland) into falling in love with the first person she sees, which happens to be a man with the head of a donkey. Oberon and Puck also use the flower to interfere in a human love quadrangle between the young characters of Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius. Chaos ensues and a trippy night of chasing, arguing, confusion, and hilarity unfolds in the woods throughout the enchanted night and into dawn on the day of an important wedding between Theseus (King of Athens) and Hippolyta (former Queen of the Amazons). There is much more to the story, including a troop of bumbling actors who wish to perform a tragic play at the prestigious wedding. Overall it is a light and entertaining story with a strong touch of magic and love for all.
For anyone unfamiliar with Shakespeare, learning dialogue is no simple task. It can be tongue-twisty and involved, yet these actors were fully prepared and made it look easy. They also make it understandable and relatable. The players make good eye contact with the audience and gesture often to minimize confusion. The costumes were a real treat. In particular, the fairies looked mystical with translucent flowy materials adorned with flowers, feathers, and lights incorporated into some of the costumes. The play has minimalistic qualities which add intimacy to the production. The props are few but well-placed and effective. The troop is small, with a couple of the actors playing multiple roles, and several who play instruments thereby eliminating the need for a separate orchestra or music section. The real tree frogs that begin their summer chorus at dusk; the nighthawk and thrush that would not be deterred by the presence of people added to the preternatural atmosphere.
The Ohio Shakespeare Festival will keep a smile on your face. The humor of the play combined with the overall environment makes for a splendid evening. The show runs Thursdays – Sundays through August 22, 2021. It is a family-friendly show, so bring the kids. You may also bring a picnic before the show and tour the gardens prior to showtime. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Ohio Shakespeare Website: http://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/
