A MIDSUMMER FOREST MEADOW’S DREAM
Audiences have flocked to Shakespeare’s open-air productions since the wooden Globe Theatre was built in 1599. Though a tenth of the size of the ill-fated original Globe, Dominican University of California’s Forest Meadows Amphitheatre is a splendid summer sanctuary for the Bard’s plays.
Charisse Loriaux
Marin Shakespeare Company, guided by Artist Director Jon Tracy, has launched its summer season with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This wildly imagined production adapted, directed and choreographed by Bridgette Loriaux presents lovers in a futuristic Athens. With non-stop energy and stunning costumes by Bethany Deal Flores, this show is a whirlwind of ardent suitors and misguided choices.
Rob Seitelman
A two-story castle (scenic design by Nina Ball) opens with nobleman Egeus (Richard Pallaziol) who has decreed that his unmanageable daughter Hermia (Storm White) must marry Demetrius (Ixtlan). Highly-positioned fathers in the faraway Athens of the future will still have that power, apparently.
Carla Gallardo
Hermia refuses, professing her love for Lysandra (Adrian Deane), in a script modification from the original male character Lysander. When Duke Theseus (Johnny Moreno) backs up the father’s decision, the women secretly elope into the forest rather than submit. They cleverly and athletically trek across imaginary obstacles, finally finding a hidden place to rest.
Elena Wright, Steve Price, Ixtlan, Richard Pallaziol, Adrian Deane, Storm White
Helena, (Elena Wright) Hermia’s best friend, is desperately in love with the rejected Demetrius. She tattles on the women who have taken off in hopes of catching Demetrius’s attention and affection.
As the Bard might say, “Soft!” or “Not so fast!”
Adrian Deane
Into the forest comes an ad-hoc acting troupe of working men, snagging a place to rehearse for an upcoming performance at the wedding of Theseus and Hippolyta (Charisse Loriaux). Shakespeare isn’t content with just one plot, nor with characters that the audience can keep straight. He brings this amateur troupe front and center to add to the mayhem brewing in the forest.
(above) Elena Wright, (below) Ixtlan, Adrian Deane, (foreground) Storm White
The actors of the Rude Mechanicals vie for roles, with Bottom (Steve Price) clamoring for any role, even those more suited to Peaseblossom (Carla Gallardo). With so much action, it’s best to just let A Midsummer Night’s Dream flow freely.
Watching the chaos are Fairy King Oberon (also Moreno) and his sidekick Puck (Rob Seitelman). Fairy Queen Titania (also Loriaux) drops in to see what they’re up to.
Charisse Loriaux, Johnny Moreno
The two conspirators are bored. When they spot the sleeping women they decide to have a little fun. They sprinkle magical flower dust on their eyes to make them fall in love with the first “creature” they see upon awakening. It’s an ass, of the donkey persuasion. Bottom’s performance is over-the-top hilarious as only veteran comedian Price can do it.
Storm White
This comedy’s plot is all about confused identity, and thus can be frustrating for any audience, especially those new to Shakespeare. There’s a lot to be said for just hanging loose and enjoying the ride. Superbly athletic choreography—cue plenty of Kung-fu fighting and Bollywood dancing—backed up by sound designer Ray Archie, and original music compositions by David Warner, make A Midsummer Night’s Dream a superb reverie for summer.
Forest Meadows Amphitheatre offers excellent sight lines, wooden backed rows, cushions for rent, and a welcome for picnics and blankets.
(below) Charisse Loriaux, (above) Steve Price 
photos by Jay Yamada
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Marin Shakespeare Company
Thurs-Sat at 7:30; Sun at 5
ends on July 13, 2025
DU of C’s Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, 890 Belle Ave. in San Rafael
for tickets ($10-$90), visit Marin Shakes
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Cari Lynn Pace is a voting member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle.
