A Midsummer Night's Dream
at Paul VI Catholic High School

Reviewed on November 21, 2015

Nicole Gray
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

"The course of true love never did run smooth," and the PVI players, with all their fairies, blinded lovers, and bumbling theatre troupe, proved just that with their 1960s rendition of William Shakespeare's classic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The Bard's popular comedy, written in approximately 1594, has truly stood the test of time as it remains one of the world's most-performed plays to this day. A Midsummer Night's Dream transports audience members to a mythical forest in Athens and follows the stories of four young lovers, a fairy king and queen, and an amateur acting troupe. There, they all fall in and out of love with one another, cast spells, break spells, and finally live happily ever after.

As the curtains open, the audience's eye is immediately drawn upward as a multi-layered, stationary set takes up the entire stage. As the show progresses, this set is found to be incredibly functional, with its trap-doors that provide a myriad of comedic moments. The ionic columns situated at the top make for suitable spying, and the general ease by which all members of the cast could be seen while onstage, proves to be a stand-out design choice. While the 1960's theme could sometimes be a bit too subtle, period music was extremely well-integrated at various points in the show to convey the tone and cover scene transitions.

An overall very talented ensemble brought this production beyond the page by making strong choices in their characterization of the well-known characters. Especially notable were Caleigh Davis and Nathaniel Smith who played the lover, Helena, and fairy King, Oberon, respectively. Davis spoke all her lines in a traditional commedia-dell'arte style and her bold physical choices never seemed to distract from the words she spoke and the emotion behind them. Smith, as Oberon, was a crowd favorite with his vibrant expressions and willingness to embrace the absurdity of fiascoes he orchestrated through his servant, Puck (adorably played by twins Bobby and Tommy Kelleher).

In the familiar role of "exuberant theatre kid," Bottom, played by senior, JJ Cummings, was another standout performer. The energy he brought every time he came onstage fed the rest of the ensemble as well as the audience. His death scene as Pyramus in the play-within-the-play left the entire auditorium with tears from their laughter.

All-in-all, A Midsummer Night's Dream proved a high-energy production that remains poignant to this day. While we rarely see beautiful, fairies in daily life, Puck's famous line "Lord, what fools these mortals be!" remains a perfect summary of the wildness of human nature as explored in this play.

Kathleen Connor
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

‘60s pop songs, mixed-up love potions, and a truly bizarre half-man, half-donkey. Where can you find all these aspects? Only in Paul VI's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A Midsummer Night's Dream has been performed countless times since William Shakespeare first wrote it in the 16th century. Since then, the play has been adapted into an opera, a ballet, and several film productions, including one produced by the BBC TV Shakespeare series in 1981 starring Helen Mirren as Titania. The play is famous for its distinctive characters, for instance Puck, a mischievous fairy, and its allusion to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet with its play-within-a play staged by the Mechanicals.

Nathaniel Smith as Oberon was a standout actor. Every moment that he was on stage, Smith captured the audience; he embodied Oberon fully. He was able to play a range of emotions, and was believable even when not speaking. His chemistry with Puck (TB Kelleher) was one of the strongest things about the show. The two actors made great physical choices in the show that enhanced their stage presence and helped them stay in the moment on stage

Among the supporting cast, the mechanicals were a delight to see on stage. JJ Cummings as Nick Bottom was a hilarious addition. Cummings had great comedic timing and was always engaged. As Bottom-playing-Pyramus, Cummings stole the show in Act II and had the audience in stitches. From the moment she stepped onstage, Isabella Whitfield as Quince brought a wonderful energy to the show. Another standout performer was Katey-Sue Ransom as Snout/Wall. Anytime she was onstage, she brought an adorable energy to the show. She shined as a hapless performer in Act II.

The four lovers Hermia (Abigail Rozmajzl), Lysander (Ryan Brogley), Demetrius (Drew Goldstein), and Helena (Caleigh Davis) also worked well together as a quartet. The four brought a good intense energy during a crazy fight-scene in Act II. Rozmajzl in particular made smart acting choices as Hermia. She consistently stayed in the moment and was always convincing as her character.

On the technical side of things, the makeup and hair were well done. The four main fairies, Cobweb (Kelly Farmar), Peaseblossom (Meghan Kelly), Mustardseed (Maggie Norman), and Moth (Molly Rodriguez) each had a distinctive look for their character created by the makeup team (Abby Rozmajzl and Maggie Norman). The makeup perfectly accented the dreamy, shimmery costumes. The more fancy aspects, such as a cobweb, were well-detailed and well-produced.

As a whole, the cast had a good understanding of the script. They understood their motivation, a tricky task with Shakespearean language. All in all, Paul VI's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream was a groovy spectacle and a fun night out.

Mallory Williamson
Dominion High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

Mystical, magical, and majestic, Paul VI Catholic High School's A Midsummer Night's Dream captivated the audience from the get-go and never relented. A relatively modern twist on William Shakespeare's classic—complete with jukebox and robot dancing—,Paul VI's fall play follows four lovers who, in a series of mishaps at the behest of a fairy king and his manservant, fall in love with all the wrong people to a melee of popular 60's tunes.

It is unknown when Shakespeare first wrote A Midsummer's Night Dream, but in the modern era it has remained one of the renowned playwright's most popular works. The play's plotline, which features the adventures of a fairy queen and king, an amateur troop of six playwrights, and four spellbound lovers, was trimmed in Paul VI's production to splendid effect. Even with a full ensemble cast, the PVI Players were able to keep the story easily comprehensible.

Nathaniel Smith was absolutely spellbinding as Oberon, the fairy king—Smith's expressive facial contortions alongside his assumed regal demeanor made the character simultaneously believable and affable. Abigail Rozmajzl's Hermia was played with equal passion, as her fight scene with Helena (Caleigh Davis) radiated such authenticity that at particularly animated moments it drew shocked gasps from the audience.

Bobby Kelleher (with occasional assistance from brother Tommy) hilariously portrayed Oberon's manservant, gopher, and sharp-witted sidekick, Puck. In similarly hilarious fashion, JJ Cummings conveyed the hilariously histrionic Bottom, a low-class ‘mechanical' who with six of his colleagues works to put together a play fit for a wedding. Andrew Sugiyama (Flute), who in the mechanicals' play was set to play the female Thisbe, was uproarious as he sauntered across the stage in full drag.

The PVI Players' set was simultaneously dreamy and utilitarian, hand-painted to look as if it was dragged straight from a mystical forest. An operating water fountain lent the set a distinct authenticity that at times was lacking in uneven stage lighting. The sound, though occasionally spotty, was well-orchestrated and overall did not detract from the show or draw attention away from the actors.

PVI Players' production of A Midsummer's Night Dream brought an evening of whimsical, zany fun to even the most reluctant Shakespeare reader. Though the 60's twist was slightly disappointing, the Players' authentic portrayals of Shakespeare's ancient classic made it almost as if one was spending a sunny afternoon at The Globe.

Kelsey Franklin
Thomas S. Wootton High School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

While the course of true love never did run smooth, Paul VI Catholic High School's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream surely did.

The show was written by William Shakespeare and originally performed at the Globe Theater in London in the late 1500s. This comedy centers around four lovers from Athens: Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius, an amateur theater troupe performing at the Duke's wedding, and their interactions with the mischievous fairy court. This cast put somewhat of a spin on the classic story with '60s style clothing and music.

Shakespeare's use of language can be very confusing at times. However, many of the actors did a wonderful job of conveying the meaning behind the prose through facial expression and body language. Hermia (Abigail Rozmajzl) in particular did well with this, knowing what her lines meant and expressing just that. There were many instances of hilarious physical comedy between Helena (Caleigh Davis) and her unrequited love, Demetrius (Drew Goldstein), from leg-grabbing to dragging one another across the stage.

The Fairy King Oberon (Nathaniel Smith) and his servant Puck (Bobby Kelleher) had a charming, playful relationship that humanized the King and the mischievous, energetic Puck. In fact there was not one Puck, but two! Bobby's twin brother Tommy Kelleher made several appearances— jumping out of one trapdoor a second after Bobby jumped in another. This made for fast-paced, delightful scenes between the two. Smith was equally energetic, even popping out for a seemingly impromptu dance at the top of the second act.

The inexperienced theater group, the Mechanicals, were definitely the comic relief of the show. Bottom (JJ Cummings), the histrionic player who gets turned into a donkey by the sly Puck, combined both verbal and physical comedy. Snout (Katey-Sue Ransom) played an adorable, awkward player who, despite not having many lines, captivated the audience throughout the Mechanicals' disastrous production of Pyramus and Thisbe, in which Snout played the Wall. The fairies were a very energetic bunch, many using specific facial expressions to give themselves a distinct personality. Their costuming and makeup was particularly enchanting. Head of hair and makeup, Abigail Rozmajzl, paid close attention to detail— giving every named fairy costuming and makeup specific to their names. For example, Cobweb (Kelly Farmar) had spider webbing along her face.

Lighting a stage comprised mainly of different levels can be quite challenging, but the stage was well lit overall. The sound quality was excellent besides a few minor errors. There were many well-used sound effects throughout the show that worked well and the use of sixties jams between scenes was a very nice touch. There was one song, a lullaby for the Queen of the Fairies, Titania (Sonya Chinje), that was an original piece of work by Chinje herself. the song was very creative and fit in well with the serenity of that scene.

Every fairy knows that mortals be fools, but what a fool you'd be if you didn't go see A Midsummer Night's Dream at Paul VI Catholic High School!

Caroline Ortiz
Oakcrest School
Submitted for publication to The Catholic Herald

With the simple juice from a blossom, magic, and heartbreak swept the stage at Paul VI Catholic High School's rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The players spent the night in the woods wandering and searching for hearts, immersing the audience in the rocky course of true love.

William Shakespeare penned this play in the late 1590's which enchants audiences with every age. The interwoven stories include four lovers, a group of theatrical tradesmen, and bickering faeries. The four lovers, Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, and Helena, escape Athens in favor of the mystical woods. There, Oberon decides to "smooth the course of true love" with the juice of a magic blossom but confusion, and heartbreak ensues regardless.

The crowning triumph in the show was the casts' mastery of the Shakespearean language. They not only memorized and understood their lines, but also they spoke with conviction and authenticity. The actors and actress' added new nuances to the well-known lines by changing their tone of voice. They truly brought the Bard of Avon's words alive that night.

Hermia's (Abigail Rozmajzl) voice was heart wrenching at times with sorrow pervading her lines and touching the hearts of the audience. She delivered the lines with authenticity, adding naturalness to her role. Demetrius (Drew Goldstein) brought great humor to the woes of the four lovers. He was at times sassy by mimicking the other characters. He committed to daring acts such as falling flat on his face in order to escape Helena. Oberon (Nathaniel Smith) had the true bearing of a king, with his authoritative voice. He used this, coupled with some hilarious dancing, to send the audience into peals of laughter.

Puck (Bobby Kelleher) played the fool remarkably well, with a mischievous spirit and expressive gestures. He never stopped moving, always boldly running, and jumping, thus capturing the attention of the audience. A nice touch was Puck's exits and then magical re entrance. This trick, achieved with the help of his twin brother, Tommy, delighted and mystified the audience.

The costumes had a 60's theme, dressing the Athenians in bright colors and iconic outfits. This theme blended nicely with the faeries' traditional nature inspired dresses, creating a unique and interesting look. While the era could have been more pronounced, the result was stunning regardless. The set was cleanly done, with running water for a brook, and painted raised platforms for forest ground. The tech, costumes, and set crew crafted the background beautifully, letting the audience lose themselves in the magical world of Shakespeare's imagination.

The two hours traffic on PVI's stage delighted the audience to no end as their play was remarkably well done. When it came time for the audience to leave, they regretfully rose from their seats with eyes a little clearer from the wisdom of Shakespeare and the magic of acting.

Clara Poteet
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

Two tangled couples are better than one and fairy mischief produces hilarious results- two truths that were proved at Paul VI Catholic High School in their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Shakespeare's beloved classic, written somewhere between 1590 and 1597, follows many Athenians on the eve of the Duke's wedding. Lysander, who is Hermia's love, and Hermia elope to the forest. Hermia's fiancé, Demetrius, follows, pursued by Helena. Oberon, King of the Fairies, plays a trick on his Queen, and tries to help Helena by making Demetrius love her. A mix up occurs thanks to Puck, and the couples are all tangled up. Meanwhile, a local troupe of handymen have come together to stage a tragic play for the wedding and end up accidentally embroiled in the Fairy King's prank.

Paul VI took on the challenge of producing such a famous work. Their energy was buoyant with cast members leaping, tumbling, and flipping across the stage, filling the auditorium with their enthusiasm.

The story was clearly told through the strong performances of the lead actors. Hermia (Abigail Rozmajzl), in turns, proved both touching and fierce as she dealt with Lysander's fairy induced betrayal and Helena's supposed theft of her love. Helena (Caleigh Davis) played up the comedic aspects of her character, going so far as to lay down, grabbing Demetrius' ankles as he desperately tried to flee her advances. Both girls were smashing in their fight scene, clawing at hair with earrings flying.

Demetrius (Drew Goldstein) and Lysander (Ryan Brogley) acquitted themselves admirably onstage, especially as Demetrius responded with great sass to the girls' fight. Oberon (Nathaniel Smith) commanded the stage with his regal manner, booming voice, and killer dance moves.

Although there were some mic and lighting issues, the ensemble cast was energetic and committed. The Mechanicals, putting on the play, milked their smaller stage time for all it was worth, earning them boisterous laughs from the audience. Nick Bottom (JJ Cummings) was the quintessential over eager theatre student, trying to play all the roles and loudly. Quince (Isabella Whitfield) was the adorably frazzled director, and Snout (Katey-Sue Ransom) played a very lively wall, horrified by people kissing through her.

The hair and makeup team did a wonderful job creating ethereal looks for the fairy folk. Tousled tresses twined around flowers and their faces glittered under the lights.

Paul VI's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream was a pleasant way to dream away the hours and a vibrant interpretation of a well loved familiar tale.

Russell Finelsen
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

A 60's style show with vibrant costumes, make-up, and hair, paired with captivating and comical acting performances…..Does this sound like a party? Not quite. It is actually Paul VI Catholic High School's rendition of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a play about many things: a group of craftsmen called the Mechanicals trying to make a play, four young people attempting at finding love, and a disagreement between the fairy king and queen, all taking place in the underbrush of a magical Athenian forest. Coupled with the placement and misplacement of the love juice, chaos returns to order by the end of the play.

The cast of the play was filled with fun, lovable characters that brought the story to life for the audience. Some of these characters include Bottom and Oberon.

Oberon, played by Nathaniel Smith, was the fairy king and husband of Titania (Sonya Chinjé), the fairy queen. Oberon pairs with his servant, Puck, to trick Titania into loving a donkey, and to help the Athenians resolve their romantic problems. Smith established great chemistry between himself and Puck. Smith also maintained character and helped the audience connect with Oberon.

Meanwhile, Bottom, portrayed by JJ Cummings, was featured as a member of the Mechanicals, and also played the role of Pyramus in the play ‘Pyramus and Thisbe' for the newlywed characters of Hermia and Lysander, Demetrius and Helena, and Theseus and Hippolyta. In addition, he is also turned into the lovable donkey with which Titania falls in love with due to the love juice. Cummings expertly played the role as Bottom; his comical performance made the audience laugh every time he was on stage.

Other memorable performances include Demetrius (Drew Goldstein) and Puck (Bobby Kelleher). Goldstein maintained amazing chemistry with his on-again, off-again lover Helena while maintaining his character in many ways, including facial expressions that matched what was going on during the play. Meanwhile, Kelleher established great chemistry with Smith and matched his enormous energy with great acting skills.

The play was filled with great make-up and hair that related to the 60's theme of the show. In addition, the student-run sound and lighting crew did a noteworthy job during the show, while the stage crew provided amazing support for the actors. Furthermore, quick crossovers helped the audience transition from one scene to the next. Despite a costume malfunction late in the show, the actors acted through it beautifully and finished on a high note.

Paul VI Catholic High School's spectacular production of an old favorite made the whole audience laugh over and over again.

Carina Kiema
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Panther Press

Who ever imagined that Shakespeare could be entertaining? Seeing as he's most well-known for his tragedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream was refreshingly humorous.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedy written by William Shakespeare in the 1590's. It features interconnecting plots that surround the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta. The plots include two pairs of young lovers Hermia and Lysander, and Demetrius and Helena, a small group of actors called The Mechanicals, and the woodland fairies, who enjoy meddling in everyone's affairs. This weekend, it was adapted with a 60's twist by Paul VI High School.

The overall production was a success. Many of the characters had great energy and the entire play was filled with wholesome, good-natured humor. The 60's era was portrayed well through the music choices and some costumes.

The lead actor, Nathaniel Smith, played Oberon, King of the Fairies. His commanding presence and booming voice fit his character well. His facial expressions and background actions also lent an air of humor to his character. Along with a complete 60's dance number in Act Two, Smith was a charming and dignified presence throughout. Lead actress Abigail Rozmajzl had a committed stage presence in her role. Her young love-struck adaption of Hermia was played well, complete with authentic chemistry with her love interest, Lysander, played by Ryan Brogley. Her dedication to the physicality of the role was charming and amusing. This included a fight scene with Helena over their love interests and the clawing and hair-pulling was so believable. extremely believable.

The supporting cast of the Mechanicals ensemble was hilarious. Their character-in-a-character was just the right amount of overdone. The over the top comedy of the play was a hit among the audience members. Bottom, a member of the ensemble, played by JJ Cummings, was a favorite. His enthusiasm and commitment to the role was magnificent and made the character genuinely humorous. Supporting Actor, Bobby Kelleher, did a great job as Puck, Oberon's trusty servant. His loyalty and folly made him an amusing presence. Adding to the hilarity of his character were his instantaneous movements from one side of the stage to another. The audience was shocked to find that this was not in fact due to magic, instead there were actually two Pucks, with one aiding in the quick movements.

The 60's era was visible through the music choices and some costumes, but other times it was lost, seeming too subtle to be a theme. The lighting was soft and colored throughout. There were spotlights used at times, and other times there just weren't, even though there were characters coming from the wings. The sound was good throughout, and impressively so, with some mics not even visible on the characters.

Overall this play was a hit. Be prepared for many hearty laughs and wonderment over this casts commitment to every aspect of their characters.

Eva Petersen
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to Panther Press

As the curtain rose, the soft melodic strains of "There's a Kind of Hush" by Herman's Hermits floated over the audience. Indeed, the room fell silent as eyes drank in the exquisite visual spectacle that was A Midsummer Night's Dream, put on masterfully by Paul VI Catholic High School. Refreshing the centuries old tale with a ‘60s twist, the talented cast and crew put on a show equal parts mod and magical.

A Midsummer Night's Dream was written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1590 and 1597. Rather than match the Elizabethan language with Elizabethan dress, the PVI players pranced onstage with miniskirts and leather jackets. The change of time period was entertaining and worked well with the script. Classic 60's tunes interspersed throughout the show were a fun and relevant addition. "In the Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett, for example, closed the first act and "Sleepwalk" by Les Paul played as the young lovers slept in the forest.

Nathaniel Smith's performance as conniving fairy king Oberon was a tour de force. The sneering Smith strut into every scene with a pompous swagger and booming voice to match. Smith showed his lighter side with an impromptu dance sequence at the beginning of Act II that left the audience wanting more. His zany sidekick Puck was portrayed by twins Tommy and Bobby Kelleher. The duo made the character appear to jump into one trapdoor and pop out the other almost immediately.

The talented foursome of Abby Rozmajzl (Hermia), Caleigh Davis (Helena), Ryan Brogley (Lysander), and Drew Goldstein (Demetrius) played off each other well, particularly in a hilarious "fight" scene. The quarreling young lovers insulted and pounced on each other with a gleeful abandon that was hilarious to watch. The mechanicals, a bumbling acting troupe assigned to put on a play in the final wedding scene, were also a riot. JJ Cummings particularly stood out as Bottom. He played his role of donkey-human to the fullest, with wild braying that drew wave after wave of laughter.

A Midsummer Night's Dream was a smashing technical success. The hair and makeup team, led by Abby Rozmajzl, did a wonderful job of marrying swinging ‘60s with forest fantasy. Every character bore evidence of their skill, from the formidable bouffants of the Athenians to the glittering faces of the fairies. The sound crew, led by Chelsea West, did an excellent job choosing the aforementioned music and providing effects for every spell that Oberon cast.

When cast and crew finally bowed to "Love Potion No. 9," they were met with cheerful applause. The course of true love may have never run smooth, the same however, couldn't be said of the show. The PVI Players' lovely production of A Midsummer Night's Dream was a fantastic showcase of actor dexterity and technical panache.