A Midsummer Night's Dream
at Stone Bridge High School

Reviewed on December 2, 2017

Amanda Hampton
Riverside High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Fairy hijinks, ludicrous love squares, talking asses, and tarot cards all combine to make Stone Bridge High School's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream a truly uproarious enterprise.

One of William Shakespeare's more prominent works, the comedy has seen countless literary, film, and theatrical adaptations. The plot is centered around the wedding of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, the Amazonian queen, and consists of three intertwining story lines: four lovers, a rag-tag acting troupe, and a host of supernatural creatures, all of whom find their paths colliding in the woods on a summer's night.

The cast did a wholly laudable job of not only allowing the meaning of Shakespeare's meandering verse to shine through, but also of managing to milk the comedic elements of the play for all they were worth. Although there were points when the longer, more tedious monologues became somewhat monotonous, the actors more than made up for these moments by meeting the undoubtedly daunting challenge of taking on a Shakespearean show with poise and effervescence.

As the quintessential star-crossed lovers Lysander and Hermia, Sam Fremin and Gillian Kniley were perfectly tragic. Their relationship was both credible and endearing, making their trials and tribulations even more poignant. Fremin was a standout from the beginning, displaying a comprehensive understanding of his character as well as a clear instinct for comedic timing. Kniley was admirably adept at portraying the emotional turmoil and unwavering strength of spirit that encapsulated Hermia.
Maxx Peak's larger-than-life persona and aptitude for physical comedy allowed him to steal the show as the witless, melodramatic Nick Bottom. Along with the rest of his troupe of Mechanicals, of whom Sonia Chandra rose to prominence with her rousing portrayal of The Wall, Peak managed to keep the audience in stitches for the duration of his time on stage. Rounding out the eclectic cast of characters, Miles Green commanded attention as the overbearing fairy king Oberon. His booming voice and undeniable air of authority allowed for a sense of grounding amid the surrounding chaos.

The behind-the-scenes aspects of the show added elements of whimsy which proved vital to the success of the production. The incorporation of the tarot cards as the main set pieces was a truly inspired concept, serving to embody the archetypes of the characters while providing a mystical, visually engaging backdrop. The driving force behind the show was student director Paisley LoBue, whose talent was evident through the creative liberties that were taken with the show. Her decision to establish the entirety of the show as the dream of a young boy gave it a surreal, ethereal quality, and her further directorial choices served to add dimension and realism to the characters.

Stone Bridge High School's reboot of the Shakespearean classic was in equal parts captivating and hilarious, and it was evident that the talented cast and crew threw every ounce of creative energy and passion they possessed into bringing the tale to life on stage.

Emily Lachow
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

The air tingles with magic as a fairy and a sprite meddle in various affairs of the forest-dwellers below. Under this pair's impish jurisdiction, fairies and mortals alike become enchanted by the spell of love. Can the course of true love run smooth in the throes of ensuing mischief? Stone Bridge High School bewitched its audience with a hilarious and whimsical rendition of Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night's Dream.

This Shakespeare comedy was first performed in 1605. However, due to the tumult of British politics during the 17th and 18th centuries, it was not performed again until the 1840's. Since this Victorian Era revival, there have been numerous notable renditions, including a 1970 version by the Royal Shakespeare Company and a 1935 movie adaptation. This enchanting story begins with a complex love square: Lysander and Hermia love each other, Hermia's betrothed Demetrius loves her, and Helena (Hermia's childhood friend) loves Demetrius. When the four end up in a fairy-ridden forest, a puck named Robin Goodfellow mistakenly hexes Lysander into loving Helena. Further chaos ensues as a pompous actor is magically turned into a donkey, whom the fairy queen is subsequently bewitched to fall in love with. Fairies, sprites, love, and hilarity are abundant in this memorable classic.

The acting company worked quite effectively together. Even during moments of utmost hilarity none of the actors broke character. The Rude Mechanicals especially should be commended for their sidesplitting performance of Pyramus and Thisbe, which had the audience laughing hysterically.

Leading this magical cast was Sam Fremin's Lysander and Gillian Kniley's Hermia. Together, the two utilized convincingly genuine physicality to persuade the audience of their true love. Without her man by her side, Kniley continued to display a laudable emotional range. The other mortal couple, Helena (Susanna Major) and Demetrius (James Good), were also dedicated in their performances of love and scorn.

Mischief and mayhem galore accompanied the presence of Puck, portrayed by Taylor Stevens. As he and Oberon (Miles Green) watched their spells manifest from above, they remained consistently engaged in the action below. In his own right, Green's resonant voice and distinct characterization brought the king of fairies to life. A highlight of the night was Maxx Peak's Nick Bottom. He was, in short, magnetic--with a comedic flair that elicited peals of raucous laughter. Another notable comedic presence was Sonia Chandra as "The Wall." Although her appearance as "The Wall" spanned only a few minutes, it was certainly a standout.

Perhaps the most remarkable piece of this show was its student direction. Paisley LoBue had a difficult task set before her, with a large cast and extensive tech, and she more than exceeded expectations. LoBue added her own flair with the theme of tarot cards, which subtly yet impressively added to the production. The set design adhered to the motif of tarot cards, with two levels of panels that would revolve to either display a tree or a card. The special effects and sound also added levels of magic to the realm of the fairies.

Donkeys, fairies, tarot cards, and mortals intertwine in this enchantingly and belly-achingly uproarious tale of love. The students of Stone Bridge didn't need to cast a spell to make us fall in love with their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Maggie Klein
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Lay back, leave the stresses of waking life behind, and lose yourself in the sublime subconscious of Stone Bridge High School as fey and fools ferry you into a fanciful Midsummer Night's Dream.

One of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream intertwines the storylines of four young lovers with conflicting infatuations, a troupe of inept actors, and the horde of mystical, mischievous fairies interfering in these mortal affairs.

The play is as dreamy as the title suggests, and Director Paisley LoBue takes Stone Bridge's rendition one step further: we open on a young boy curled up on a bed of twigs and flowers who dreams of a flock of fluttering fairies. We're taken along with him on a journey through his imagination as the fairies pull him from his bed and towards a deck of tarot cards to have their fortunes read. As he draws a card from the deck, the corresponding life-size version swings around on stage and the pictured tarot persona steps out of the paper and into life. These twists add fresh depth and dimension to a classic show while retaining the simplicity and timelessness of the Elizabethan setting.

LoBue's vision is carried out by Katie Bushman's intriguing yet uncomplicated sets. Eleven giant wooden tarot cards comprise a two-story set linked by spiral staircases. Each card has golden trees painted on the back, a detailed tarot character on the front, and the ability to swivel between the two to allow actors to enter and seamlessly transition between the forest of the fairy kingdom and the more grounded world of Athens. The costumes (Bethany Shears and Ainsley Steger) match the tarot card out of which each character steps and the personality of every ensemble member; fairies flounce about in bright colors, earthy neutrals, and skirts sewn with twinkling lights.

The pairs of lovers at the whims of these sprites are genuine and dynamic as they lose their way in the woods and along with it, their relationships and identities. Lysander (Sam Fremin) and Hermia (Gillian Kniley) have palpable chemistry as they transform from giddy, eloping paramours to angered adversaries and back again. Helena (Susanna Major) demonstrates consistent energy and dedication to the role as she pines over Demetrius (James Good) and doubts the sincerity of his newfound, fairy love potion-induced infatuation. The foursome all exhibit exceptional physicality and expression as they spar with swords and words, impart meaning in difficult Shakespearian dialogue, and remain relentlessly in character even when asleep or in the background reacting to the play within the play.

They need not have worked too hard to react to the play, for it was an energized, engaging, hilarious highlight of the show. The Rude Mechanicals, led by the rollicking, pompous Nick Bottom (Maxx Peak) have the audience in stitches for the duration of their "Pyramus and Thisbe" performance. Bottom, as Pyramus, dramatically stabs himself with his sword after yearning in anguish for his love through the chink in the wall (a scene-stealing role with Sonia Chandra as Tom Snout bringing the inanimate bricks to side-splitting life) separating the two lovers.

This dreamy show is not complete without its mysterious fairies. The impish Puck (Taylor Stevens) brings a sly, chaotic energy with his feral physicality and powerful ending monologue. As the respective king and queen of the fairies, Oberon (Miles Green) and Titania (Brittany Battista) compel and captivate as they manage the mischief from afar.

As hysterical as it is magical, Stone Bridge High School's deeply satisfying production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is one from which you won't want to wake up.

Carly Megan Shaffer
Herndon High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

"Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream." Running Dog Productions of Stone Bridge High School put on an enchanting performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream on Saturday night.

A timeless comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream was written by William Shakespeare between 1595 and 1596. The play tells four stories simultaneously: the upcoming marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to Queen Hippolyta; the romantic adventures and misadventures of Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius; the meddlesome fairies that inhabit the woods where the play is set; and the goofy shenanigans of a troupe of actors, called the Mechanicals. With its lighthearted humor and themes of dreams, magic, and of course, love, it is no wonder that Midsummer is one of Shakespeare's most popular works. Since its publication, it has played on stages all over the world.

Stone Bridge's production, directed by student Paisley LoBue, featured a unique twist on a classic tale. The entire play existed as the fantasy of a young Indian boy. He entertained woodland fairies by reading their fortunes on a deck of tarot cards. The audience watched as the fortunes unfolded onstage in "real life." The set (designed and painted by Katie Bushman) was customized to fit the tarot card reading. The stage was outfitted in an array of giant, elaborate cards, each of which was painted with a different character from the play. The images were tailored to this cast, with each painted character looking and dressing like the corresponding actor. It was a breathtaking sight to watch LoBue's creative vision play out in the show.

"The course of true love never did run smooth," Shakespeare said, and this was illustrated by the genuine but funny relationships between the characters. Gillian Kniley and Sam Fremin (as Hermia and Lysander, respectively) were especially outstanding. Their affection for each other was evident, and one couldn't help but cheer when they received their happy ending. Susanna Major and James Good (Helena and Demetrius) were equally entertaining. Major's unrelenting energy in her dogged pursuit of Good, and his original disgust for her, sent the audience into fits of laughter. One more talented twosome was Katie Bushman and Ainsley Steger (Hippolyta and Athens). Their flirtatious interactions cast them as the perfect slightly-obnoxious-but-adorable newlyweds.

The actors' physicality in the show was incredible. The sword-fighting between Lysander and Demetrius over Helena was so realistic that it made the audience fear for the actors' safety. It was inspiring to see Hermia draw her own sword in an attempt to protect herself from the two men, taking a feminist stance in a patriarchal society.

The ensembles of the show shone like stars. The Mechanicals, led by Maxx Peak (as Nick Bottom) were utterly hilarious, especially in their own show-within-the-show. Peak's constant antics and playful mockery of his companions made his performance one of the highlights of the night. Another glittering group was the Fairies, whose presence gave the show a whimsical touch. Their elegant singing and dancing in their "Lullaby" brought a welcome musical moment to the straight play. Taylor Stevens stood out as Puck; his mischievous excitement made him a delight to watch.

With its stunning set, gifted performers, and mirthful humor, Stone Bridge's Midsummer was truly a dream.

Alayna Lee
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

In one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays the infamous trickster Puck gleefully comments, "Lord, what fools these mortals be!" If the audience at Stone Bridge's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream had any doubts about the show before entering the auditorium, then they would soon prove Puck correct.

Shakespeare's most popular play weaves four interconnecting stories into one, all of them centered on the marriage between the Duke of Athens and the Amazon Queen, Hippolyta. Written by William Shakespeare in the 1590's, this comedy features everything from star-crossed lovers, mistaken identities, and a play within a play. Chaos and mischief plague the mortals of the play at every twist and turn, due to interfering fairies wanting to play Cupid among the unsuspecting victims.

Although this play is difficult for most high schools to perform in itself, Stone Bridge proved itself capable of handling the challenge and more. The student director of the show, Paisley LoBue, twisted this classic tale by revolving it around a tarot reading. The representation of characters and symbolic themes of the cards was simple yet nuanced, creating a new air of intrigue for the audience. LoBue's excellent interpretation of the show additionally manifested itself in the cast's articulation of the arduous Shakespearean language. Each member of the cast was able to relay the meaning of the lines to the audience through their detailed facial expressions and varied vocal inflections, despite the centuries of time between the script and modern times.

The genuine chemistry between the main lovers of the show, Hermia (Gillian Kniley) and Lysander (Sam Fremin), anchored the show's emotional arcs. Their hands were often intertwined or resting on each other's backs, a symbol of comfort and affection that made their consequent break up even more heartbreaking. The trembling of Kniley's sword as she realized Fremin truly meant his denial of her silenced the audience, while in contrast their easy going conversation imitated a couple's loving teasing.

If the star-crossed lovers' story brought the audience to tears, then the Rude Mechanicals brought tears of laughter to the audience. Nick Bottom, played by Maxx Peak, exuded ridiculous confidence in every hair flip and hip jut. Although the play-within-a-play put on by the Mechanicals only appeared in the second act, their performance stole the show. Each one demonstrated impeccable comedic timing, from the Wall's dramatic flourishes to Thisbe's high-pitched squeals. What truly made the Mechanicals stand out was their incredible group chemistry, each member willing to participate in outrageous antics because of the other's similar hilarity.

Yet this production would not have been as successful without the stellar technical aspects. The set that silhouetted the cast consisted of revolving tarot cards, each one turning around with the introduction of the character on the card. It was clear that each part of the show required tremendous work, with the number of handmade costumes reaching double digits in outfits made and hours worked. From the color of the characters costumes matching the cards to the effect of bubbles and fog covering the audience, the minute details accentuated the already powerful production.

By the end of Stone Bridge's production, the cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream had enthralled the audience, effectively rendering them fools in the face of true talent and dedication.