Review: CAE presents a delightful production of ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ in the parks

 

Oh to be... outside again... Classical Actors ensemble (CAE) are back for their seventh season of Shakespeare in the Park. This year's production: A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Joe Wiener.

As luck would have it, rain didn't hit until Sunday Night, and the cast performed on a beautiful clear June afternoon at Cedar Lake Park where the only distraction came from kids splashing in the lake and spectators who had stopped to take in the scene, a few mocking the performance, eager to become jesters themselves.

Around fifty people gathered on beach towels and lawn chairs.  Actors made their way back and forth behind tents where they could change costumes, gather their props and so forth.  The wind from Cedar Lake was cool and the atmosphere reminded me of day camp as a child. 

"Love is not with the eyes, but with the mind," said Helena, (Samantha V. Papke) setting the tone for the entire play. Helena believes that love even at its ugliest and worse can seem attractive to someone in love.  Helena says, "He’s mine!" and this gets a laugh from the audience.

And laughter is what the cast aimed for, as they incorporated modern songs, clothing and gestures.  A few of the actors wore unique garments that suited them; including military garb, woolen vests, suspenders, crowns full of flowers, capes and dresses. 

CAE's mission is a commitment to keeping the classical repertoire alive so we can all re-discover stories and the power of the spoken word.

"We're so glad to be offering this production to the public now that vaccinations have made it safe to get back out in the world," Producing Artistic Director Joseph Papke said in the program.  "Seeing a show in the park is a great re-introduction to live events after being cooped up and isolated."

Even children can enjoy and partake in the foolery as puppets break out spontaneously and performers (Gemma Isaacson, Christine McGinnis, Parisha Rajbhandari, Julie Warder, Heather Klopchin, Rachel Lieberman, Jennifer Mack, Esther Ouray, and Jennifer Ilse) sing and dance to their delight. 

Though CAE may not use the traditional venue, its a reminder that most Shakespeare plays were performed in outdoor playhouses where light was not needed and  natural lighting was used instead.

Come see this fun performance.  The production will be held for free at parks in Minnesota ending July 18, 2021,  at the Mpls Sculpture Garden.   Pre-registration recommended for weather updates, donoations encouraged.  More information is available at classicalactorsensemble.org 

Photo courtesy of CAE