A Big, Crazy Outdoor Midsummer Night’s Dream

There’s a sense of a collision in the cast listing of Optimist’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Equity actors mix with a variety of others who have worked on a variety of other projects. It’s difficult to remember a single production that has been such a weird fusion of different acting dynamics. Equity’s Tom Reed returns to Optimist as Puck. Malkia Stampley, who plays both Titania and Hippolyta is also Equity. Similarly decorated Todd Denning appears as Oberon and Theseus. The rest are a really fascinating mix that should make for a remarkably dynamic production. Youngblood Theatre co-founder Tess Cinpinski appears as Starveling. Marcee Doherty-Elst of Theater RED makes an appearance as Snug. In Tandem Theatre co-founder Chris Flieller plays Bottom. Though he isn’t specifically listed in the cast list, Off the Wall’s Jeremy Welter is listed in a promo video for the show. As is Liz Faraglia, who has made quite an impression in a variety of different projects in recent seasons. Also in the cast are Robert W.C. Kennedy and Rachel Zientek and Samantha Sosatarich and Jeffrey James Ircink and on and on and on.

A free production like this in the heat of summer outdoors is a remarkable opportunity for local audiences to get a sampling of the talent that’s out there year-round. With talent like this, it’s definitely worth a casual trip out to the park to see one of Shakespeare’s best loved classics for free. 

Optimist Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs Jul. 9 - 19 at Kadish Park. All shows start at 8:00 p.m. For further information, visit Optimist online.