Pearl Theatre and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival present this minimalist re-telling in which five actors take on all the roles in Shakespeare's most famous romantic comedy. More…
Shakespeare’s lush tale of the ecstasies of love and loss, 'Midsummer' tosses four lovers into the strangest, most magical night of their lives. In the woods of Athens, they dive into a world ruled by the whims of passion, play, and jealousy—and none of them come out unchanged. Directed by Bedlam Theater’s innovative Eric Tucker, five versatile actors will live out Bottom’s fantasy of playing all the roles in this celebration of the transformative and intoxicating power of love.
See it if you're an Eric Tucker fan. MSND is innovative, fascinating, intense, funny, energetic, insightful but requires strong knowledge of the play.
Don't see it if you get offended. I found Titania's sexual romp w/Bottom-as-ass misogynistic. Some laughed, but it wasn't funny. Otherwise, a great night.
Also I'm catching up on old reviews. I was impressed with this MSND that ma... Read more Read less
See it if you already know the plot and don't mind a hard-to-follow production with bare-bones staging and just 5 actors.
Don't see it if you are unfamiliar with the story or prefer your Shakespeare to be more traditionally staged.
See it if You want to see Phylicia rashad in the Central Park version in an outdoor theater setting. If you like Shakespeare and his complex plays
Don't see it if You don't like romance stories with plot twists and magic
See it if you can surrender to Shakespeare shaken up by dream logic & stirred w inventively physical staging & exuberantly virtuosic performances.
Don't see it if a lack of clarity & emotion + too many recurring bits will turn this Dream into a nightmare for you. It's a vital US take on a classic. Go!
See it if You love Bedlam, Eric Tucker and/or A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is a brilliant production.
Don't see it if You need your Shakespeare "traditional" or "period" in order to be worthy of your attendance.
See it if you like avant garde, over-the-top, very funny Shakespeare played by Incredibly talented actors. Kudos to the director as well!
Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare or you only like the traditional performances.
See it if you like shakespeare
Don't see it if you don't like shakespeare
See it if you like Shakespeare and want to see an interesting take on this classic play
Don't see it if you don't like Shakespeare or if you plays done with minimal scenery. They utilize the space well but there is no scenery changes.
See it if You are a shakespeare lover
Don't see it if You do not enjoy classical plays
See it if You are a Shakespeare fan looking for a totally original, fresh approach to make a great play come alive again.
Don't see it if You are easily confused by plays or the thought of Shakepseare puts you to sleep.
See it if you enjoy minimalist takes on Shakespeare plays or if you enjoy all adaptations of Midsummer Night's Dream.
Don't see it if having a few actors playing multiple characters is confusing, if you prefer to have major sets, or if you like traditional adaptations.
See it if you are very, very familiar with the text of the show and want to see an athletic, comedic riff on the play.
Don't see it if You don't know the show very well. It's a little hard to follow in places, and the pace and length are kind of exhausting.
See it if you want something different from shakespeare, you want to see great acting, you're interested in ensemble work, you love shakespeare
Don't see it if you want a musical, you want classical shakespeare
See it if you're turned on by innovative Shakespeare. It's stripped down: 5 actors, no props, no scenery, just words. Stunning. Had to see it twice.
Don't see it if you want to sit back and relax. This production constantly engages the audience in a visceral way. It's thrilling, but borderline invasive.
See it if You already deeply understand Midsummer and want to see a somewhat deconstructed take with some very big choices.
Don't see it if You are unfamiliar with this play or you hate Marlon Brando impressions. Or if you really expect all the choices to, yknow, make sense.
See it if You are open to a tactful and brilliant adaptation of Shakespeare's Midsummer.
Don't see it if You are a stickler for Shakespeare's language remaining untouched and intact.
See it if you enjoy Shakespeare that embraces the crudeness of the source material while experimenting with style and presentation.
Don't see it if you are a traditionalist or don't enjoy crude sexual humor.
See it if You love Shakespeare and you love brilliant new takes on Shakespeare. Or just if you love brilliant physical comedy.
Don't see it if You hate all good things.
See it if you know this play and like experimental takes on Shakespeare.
Don't see it if you're interested in traditions.
See it if you love Shakespeare and comedies
Don't see it if you don't have a sense of humor
See it if You like things other than basic regular theatre.
Don't see it if you are a traditionalist.
See it if You like shakespeare and great costumes
Don't see it if You don't like or understand Shakespeare.
See it if You want to revisit a classic favorite
Don't see it if You dont like fun
See it if You like "experimental" theater, with bare bones acting, odd phrasing and bare sets.
Don't see it if You dislike "experimental" theater. If you like set changes that give you SOME idea of where you are plotwise, this will leave you confused.
See it if You liked reading Shakespeare, but want to hear his work to fabulous music!
Don't see it if You hated English class!