A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Bard on the Beach

OK, I take it all back. Yes, I kvetched about the fact I would be seeing, yet another rendition of AMND. I’ve seen it 5 times (I think). This would be the sixth.

This version was by far the best I’ve ever seen. Besides the strong comedic performances (Puck and Bottom were absolutely top notch and Helena and Oberon were extremely strong also), the added direction and updating with music and the great occasional riff “beats” really made the play. And not just in the polite, “laugh because it’s Shakespeare and clever” kind of way. The play was really funny. Seriously, laugh out loud funny (um… I may have even snorted, I was laughing so hard).

Have to hand it to BotB, they’ve really pulled off a serious coup on this one. And I liked it enough that I’m going to see all the other plays, not just Troilus and Cressida as I’d originally planned.

One small criticism though… the Mainstage actually opens onto this great backdrop tot he mountains in the distance behind the players. While really, really nice, when the bright sun started to set, it made the lighting on the stage a bit problematic (at least for me). However, considering how little sunshine we’ve had so far this summer, probably not something they need to bother themselves about.

If you’re thinking about going and reading this, buy them. You won’t be disappointed.