By Mary Best
Opinion Editor
Swirls of fantasy, love, fairies and mischief adorned the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts this week in SBU Theater’s fresh and colorful production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The comedy, directed by Dr. Ed. Simone, chairperson of the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, follows three intertwining plots — the conflict between the Fairie King and Queen, the misadventures of an ambitious, amateur acting troupe and the paths of four troubled Athenian lovers.
Demanding physical comedy only proved a triumph, thanks to the talented actors. When the Athenian women, Hermia (junior theater major Lizzy Vivino) and Helena (sophomore theater major Brooke Perkins) discover their lovers have turned on their hearts’ desires from the previous evening, panic ensues in the most entertaining way.
Vivino and Perkins each took command of the stage with natural choreography, rivaling the unmatchable comic expressions and chases led by their partners, Lysander (sophomore modern languages major Ian Rogers) and Demetrius (junior philosophy major Brett Keegan).
Adding to the comedic performances was the ensemble known as the Mechanics. In charge of putting on the play-within-a-play to honor the wedding of Duke Theseus (junior computer science major Josh Wingerter), Petra Quince (sophomore sociology major Molly Schaefer) leads a band of ambitious townspeople who put on a paradoxical tragedy-turned-comedy. From Tom Snout’s (freshman journalism and mass communication major Sean O’Brien) crafty, sassy wall to Frances Flute’s (freshman undecided major Will Foust) endearing performance as a cross-dressing heroine, the Mechanicals’ play stole the stage.
Tori Lanzillo, a freshman theater and journalism and mass communication major, proudly displayed her acting chops beyond her years as the adorable, mischievous trickster Puck. Her somersaults combined with her bouncy personality won the hearts of the audience.
The vibrant, fresh design of the production, designed by Rebecca Misenheimer, assistant professor of theater, and junior theater major Emily West, did much more than provide a setting for the actors to perform in — it created its own dimension.
White fabric hugging the black borders of the stage, complete with a yin and yang motif, offered a peaceful foundation for the layers of color and sound filling the theater. The atmosphere and temperature of the forest morphed with the changing moods of Fairie King Oberon (senior English major Mike Dlugosz) and Queen Titania (West).
Music and instrumental sound effects by Thisney’s Noise sprinkled the production with an earthy and natural essence, adding yet another layer to SBU Theater’s completely new take on one of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies.
West’s original costume designs are undeniably organic to the production. The intricate details put into each costume deserved as much applause as each of the actors’ performances. Oberon’s chain mail adorned with keys and Titania’s dress dripping with colorful patterned fabrics are just of sampling of West’s costume genius. Puck’s jacket, embellished with noisy beads and sparkling jewels, rivaled even the most bedazzled Technicolor Dreamcoat.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is yet another exemplary production displaying the impressive quality of Bonaventure’s theater program. No matter the interest in theater, it would be foolish to miss out on this incredibly entertaining comedy, and, ultimately, an unforgettable dream.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at the Quick Center, with a talkback with the cast and crew following tonight’s performance.
