Midsummer Night's Dream

So when the Guthrie first announced last year that they were doing Midsummer Night's Dream this season, I yawned a little. I mean, it's clearly a good play. I've seen it several times, including when Beatrix played Hermia in her middle school production (though she be but little, she IS fierce...). And I've been reading a lot of "Shakespeare really didn't write most of the things attributed to him" conspiracy theory lately, because it's easier to face than contemporary politics.


But I was invited to opening night (thanks Guthrie folks!), and I was really pleased to see that the Guthrie was again doing one of those joyous opening nights where you get to see tons of friends and people you know and the lobby is all abuzz during intermission, and I had heard good things from my friend Liz who saw it in previews, so we went, and it was the best choice I have made recently.


What a fantastic, joyous night. The cast is outstanding, with several Guthrie debuts and many of my favorite actors; I'm going to specifically call out my friends Remy Auberjonois as the absolutely most compelling Bottom I have ever seen, Max Wojtanowicz whose Thisbe song at the end showcased his beautiful voice, and Kimberly Richardson for Jeune Lune-esque moon antics — I usually kind of endure the play-within-a-play but here is was one of my favorite sections. The use of music was truly transformational. Design, direction, performance all top-notch.


(photo from the Guthrie, photo credit Dan Norman)

I've complained recently about not seeing enough good theater, so I absolutely need to shout it from the rooftops when I have this great a night out. Go see this show. You need a night out, you need to have joy, and you get to support live theater. Total win.

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Anonymous said…
A frolickingly fun night of theater!
February 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
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