Photo by Anthony Anderson
Splashes of tie dye, tinkling beadwork and bright flower crowns—the fairy creatures of Optimist Theatre’s outdoor production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream—are cleverly reimagined as the flower children of 1967’s “Summer of Love.” Director Ron Scot Fry takes the classic Shakespearian tale, plucks it from the woods of Athens and relocates human and fairy world alike to the junction Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco. This psychedelic twist set to an Elizabethan tongue gives this age-old production an injection of new life and vigor.
Played outdoors in Milwaukee’s Kadish Park, the show opens with a boisterous, all-cast dance party set to composer Paul Therrien’s wailing guitar. Here we see the three distinct worlds of the show come together: the aristocracy of King Theseus’s court wearing the crisp suits and business attire of the upper-class; the ever-happy mechanicals donning dirty coveralls representing ’60s laborers and working class; and the Fairy Kingdom citizens of the counterculture.
Each of the four lovers navigate their respective roles well; none more so, however, than the pitiful Helena, played by the excellent Kat Wodtke. Wodtke is every bit the “painted maypole” audiences have come to love, irresistibly whiny and downtrodden. Knobby-kneed and wearing a lime green frock, Wodtke’s Helena has a strong Jan Brady air about her. The play’s crescendo, the love-induced final battle between Helena and Hermia (Kristin Hammargren), brings the crowd to fits of laughter.
Playing Queens Titania and Hippolyta, Malkia Stampley is another standout of the production. As Hippolyta she is a straight-laced businesswoman of yesteryear. But Stampley comes alive as Titania, being both powerful and mischievous. She plays off her hippie followers well, singing and dancing across the stage with ease.
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The night absolutely belongs to Chris Flieller and his mesmerizing performance as Bottom. Energetic and feisty, Flieller pours his heart out on the stage, especially after his transformation to an ass. Here too, Flieller plays off his cast mates effortlessly. The hilarious, Scooby-Doo-like chase scene involving the mechanicals alone makes Flieller’s performance worth watching.
Although some may yearn for the myth and magic of a classic Midsummer production, Optimist Theatre’s groovy theatrical choices bring just as much charm and wit to make this production work.
Through July 19 at Kadish Park Milwaukee, 308 E. Lloyd St. Admission is free. Visit optimisttheatre.org for more information.
