The words of William Shakespeare have been performed on the stage for centuries. His plays are open for interpretation and work better when the ensemble plays with the period-shape-shifting capabilities of the themes and their iambic pentameter.
Riverside Community Players' production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" directed by Michael Shane Eastman, did little to breathe new life into Shakespeare's words – it relied on typical tropes. Yet, the ensemble and Eastman managed to find a comedic tone that is sure to make the audience laugh at the romantic chaos that ensues.
In "A Midsummer Night's Dream" young lovers are enthralled in a romantic entanglement. Hermia loves Lysander, but her dad wants her to marry Demetrius. Helena loves Demetrius, but he doesn't love her back.
The lovers make their way to the enchanted forest where a feud between king and the queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania, introduces a magic flower. Oberon uses it to have Titania fall in love with the first creature she lays her eyes on. Puck, another fairy, uses the flower on Lysander, who falls in love with Helena.
Titania falls in love with Nick Bottom, a donkey-headed member of a theater troupe, working on a play for the Duke's wedding.
The production team plays it safe with its choices, by setting the play in the typical Elizabethan period – nothing exciting. Shakespeare examines timeless themes that have helped his plays remain in the spotlight since they were first introduced years ago. Setting "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in its original time period hinders its everlasting familiarity.
Fortunately for the choice, the ensemble's comedic chemistry made up for it. During the scene when the fairies lift the enchantment on the young lovers, Puck breaks the fourth wall and accidentally enchants the audience. Throughout the play the cast breaks the wall between the audience that is sure to make it an engaging performance.
The moment really captures the ridiculousness that exists in love, and Paris A. Langle (Puck) really shines through the relationship that is created with the audience. Throughout her performance as Puck and Hermia's dad, Langle shows her versatility and physicality. When she's playing the old dad, she embodies the age. When she is playing Puck, her whimsy differentiates the performances.
Saverio Guccione, who plays Bottom, rounds off an ensemble that was really feeling the romantic comedy side of Shakespeare. Guccione's portrayal of a "bad actor" is sure to make you laugh out loud. His chumminess and pretentiousness as Bottom makes a forgettable plotline of a play-within-a-play worth keeping up with.
Riverside Community Players is performing Shakespeare for the first time in 25 years. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is probably the most popular play from Shakespeare's comedy repertoire. Young love and bad actors will never be out of style. It is only a matter of placing the enchanted story in a time period that brings Shakespeare themes to a new generation, the same effect Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" had for Gen X audiences.
While RCP's production may not embrace the adaptability of Shakespeare's work, its killer cast will leave you laughing at the absurdities of love.
More information: Riverside Community Players is located at 4026 Fourteenth St. Riverside 92501 and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" plays until May 4, with performances Friday through Sunday. Visit riversidecommunityplayers.com for ticket information.
Anthony was born and raised in Pomona. After a decade in education, he now writes for Southern California News Group, LA Times, and LA Taco. He recently moved to Riverside with his wife Evelyn.
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