A Midsummer Night's Dream
at Corona Del Mar

Reviewed on November 2, 2018

Sage Lamott
University
Submitted for publication to OC Register

We Don't Want to Wake up from CDM's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
written by Sage Lamott, a freshman at University High School

Corona Del Mar high school's production of, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" combines vivid visuals with vivacious actors to create a palatable, relevant telling of the Shakespearean classic. The tale follows four lovers, a troupe of inexperienced actors and their misadventures with mischievous fairies in the woods.

Sierra Stoliar portrays the exuberant character of Puck with energy and specificity. Combining fixed facial expressions with giddy movement, she prances around the stage spreading mischief left and right. Tip toeing swiftly and fidgeting frequently there is never a moment where Stoliar sits still. Her graphic facial expressions showcase her character's impish and impulsive disposition. Bringing youthful gestures and unique character choices to the role, Stoliar emulates the cause of chaos for the story.

Violette Remington demands respect and struts with elegance and purpose as the sultry fairy queen, Titania. Providing a motherly yet stern and powerful dynamic character, Remington strides across the stage with confidence and grace. Simple, strategic facial choices demonstrate her character's dynamic persona throughout the story.

Bottom, portrayed by Stephen Weinstock, is a bubbly character who flits about the stage with drama and flair. From his tiny hand gestures to his head tosses towards his fellow players he uses specific movement to express his dramatic identity. Weinstock combines specific acting choices with a lively disposition to create the obnoxious yet lovable Bottom.

Lighting by Alexandra Lee and Erica Sjoholm adds precision, fantasy, and detail to the whimsical scene. As the character of Helena slowly fades into jealousy light floods the stage with an emerald tint. Whimsical purples and blues greet the fairies in the Wood and provide a sleepy, dreamlike land for the story to play out in. The use of deliberate lighting emphasizes and highlights the emotions of the characters bringing technical preciseness and creativity to this production.

Unique costume elements breathe whimsy into the scene while acting as functional pieces for each character. Color scheme plays beautifully into each design particularly with Titania and the other fairies. Simple dresses adorned in lavish colors enhance each fairy's personality while ornate headpieces rest in their curls. Titania struts with the power of her bright magenta boots while mesmerizing the wood with her luxurious, rose tinted, flowing dress piece.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" flourishes with passionate actors and skilled technical design to paint a whimsical, comedic and delightful take on the classic production.

Sage Lamott
University
Submitted for publication to OC Register

We Don't Want to Wake up from CDM's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
written by Sage Lamott, a freshman at University High School

Corona Del Mar high school's production of, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" combines vivid visuals with vivacious actors to create a palatable, relevant telling of the Shakespearean classic. The tale follows four lovers, a troupe of inexperienced actors and their misadventures with mischievous fairies in the woods.

Sierra Stoliar portrays the exuberant character of Puck with energy and specificity. Combining fixed facial expressions with giddy movement, she prances around the stage spreading mischief left and right. Tip toeing swiftly and fidgeting frequently there is never a moment where Stoliar sits still. Her graphic facial expressions showcase her character's impish and impulsive disposition. Bringing youthful gestures and unique character choices to the role, Stoliar emulates the cause of chaos for the story.

Violette Remington demands respect and struts with elegance and purpose as the sultry fairy queen, Titania. Providing a motherly yet stern and powerful dynamic character, Remington strides across the stage with confidence and grace. Simple, strategic facial choices demonstrate her character's dynamic persona throughout the story.

Bottom, portrayed by Stephen Weinstock, is a bubbly character who flits about the stage with drama and flair. From his tiny hand gestures to his head tosses towards his fellow players he uses specific movement to express his dramatic identity. Weinstock combines specific acting choices with a lively disposition to create the obnoxious yet lovable Bottom.

Lighting by Alexandra Lee and Erica Sjoholm adds precision, fantasy, and detail to the whimsical scene. As the character of Helena slowly fades into jealousy light floods the stage with an emerald tint. Whimsical purples and blues greet the fairies in the Wood and provide a sleepy, dreamlike land for the story to play out in. The use of deliberate lighting emphasizes and highlights the emotions of the characters bringing technical preciseness and creativity to this production.

Unique costume elements breathe whimsy into the scene while acting as functional pieces for each character. Color scheme plays beautifully into each design particularly with Titania and the other fairies. Simple dresses adorned in lavish colors enhance each fairy's personality while ornate headpieces rest in their curls. Titania struts with the power of her bright magenta boots while mesmerizing the wood with her luxurious, rose tinted, flowing dress piece.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" flourishes with passionate actors and skilled technical design to paint a whimsical, comedic and delightful take on the classic production.

Amy-Grace Ratanapratum
Fountain Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Find Beauty in Chaos in Corona Del Mar's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Corona Del Mar's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" captures the whimsy of Shakespeare's immortal writing. The play, one of Shakespeare's more convoluted comedies, follows lovers Hermia and Lysander who run away from Athens to elope; Demetrius, whom Hermia was supposed to marry, and Helena, who is in love with Demetrius; Titania and Oberon, the feuding king and queen of the fairies, respectively; as well as actors, known as The Mechanicals, who are practicing to perform for Duke Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding. While the plot seems hard to follow, the cast and crew engage with and delight the audience without fail; the audience gets a sense that every actor truly knows his or her character.

The Mechanicals are a noteworthy ensemble, a group of childish and constantly-brawling actors, whose fast-paced dialogue and unpredictable physical comedy brings uproarious laughter from the audience. Stephen Weinstock, in particular, brings the ensemble to life with his performance as Nick Bottom. Bottom wants nothing more than to be a star, and quarrels with Quince (Brittany Weinstock), the playwright, over which character he should play, wanting the biggest and best part. Even in his moments of confusion, like when the enchanted Titania falls in love with him, he keeps the same air of confidence about him.

Throughout the play, it's impossible to overlook the costumes and makeup. The Athenians wear dark, somber colors to symbolize the lack of life and individuality within society, while the fairies boast shimmering garments and makeup to match. There is something not quite human about the fairies, both in the way they move low to the ground and their attire, that makes them equally alien and beautiful.

Beauty is a common theme in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," as well as chaos. The cast and crew juxtapose these two ideas during arguments between characters, and in the way they present the labyrinthine play as a whole. They argue that one cannot exist without the other, that beauty can always be found within chaos.

Amy-Grace Ratanapratum
Fountain Valley
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Find Beauty in Chaos in Corona Del Mar's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Corona Del Mar's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" captures the whimsy of Shakespeare's immortal writing. The play, one of Shakespeare's more convoluted comedies, follows lovers Hermia and Lysander who run away from Athens to elope; Demetrius, whom Hermia was supposed to marry, and Helena, who is in love with Demetrius; Titania and Oberon, the feuding king and queen of the fairies, respectively; as well as actors, known as The Mechanicals, who are practicing to perform for Duke Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding. While the plot seems hard to follow, the cast and crew engage with and delight the audience without fail; the audience gets a sense that every actor truly knows his or her character.

The Mechanicals are a noteworthy ensemble, a group of childish and constantly-brawling actors, whose fast-paced dialogue and unpredictable physical comedy brings uproarious laughter from the audience. Stephen Weinstock, in particular, brings the ensemble to life with his performance as Nick Bottom. Bottom wants nothing more than to be a star, and quarrels with Quince (Brittany Weinstock), the playwright, over which character he should play, wanting the biggest and best part. Even in his moments of confusion, like when the enchanted Titania falls in love with him, he keeps the same air of confidence about him.

Throughout the play, it's impossible to overlook the costumes and makeup. The Athenians wear dark, somber colors to symbolize the lack of life and individuality within society, while the fairies boast shimmering garments and makeup to match. There is something not quite human about the fairies, both in the way they move low to the ground and their attire, that makes them equally alien and beautiful.

Beauty is a common theme in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," as well as chaos. The cast and crew juxtapose these two ideas during arguments between characters, and in the way they present the labyrinthine play as a whole. They argue that one cannot exist without the other, that beauty can always be found within chaos.

Carson C De Baca
St. Margaret's Episcopal
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Corona del Mar's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Encapsulates Chaotic Beauty
written by Carson C De Baca, a junior at St. Margaret's Episcopal School

Bright lights, stunning makeup, and raw emotion constitute CDM's production of this classic Shakespearean tale of four young Athenians searching for love, a wandering acting troop, and a band of fairies who intervene with only a moments notice.

Hermia (Grace Shackelford) oscillates from collected to enraged throughout the play as she struggles with her own love affairs and those of her counterparts. She similarly changes her physical movements, alternating between a composed gait to a rapid dash. Whether it be with her bloodcurdling scream in search of her love or her dramatic and emotional monologues, Shackelford brings her character to life with tangible feeling and pain.

Tristan Neal and Phoebe Alva play Demetrius and Helena respectively, the lively and at times crazed couple. Both Neal and Alva bring fantastic energy to their characters, which is demonstrated through their physical comedy. From the front row of the theater to the wings of the stage, the couple excites and delights with bold physicality. Neal and Alva also succeed in playing off of one another's tenacious physical energies.

The enthralling, dramatic, and hilarious Puck (Sierra Stoliar) captivates, delights, and generally manages to steal the show whenever present. Form her exaggerated tip-toe gait, high-pitched voice, and maniacal laugh, Stoliar brings her character to life at all times. Puck is always inserting herself into the lives of the poor Athenians around her and is best remembered for her exaggerated movements and a commanding voice. Despite the presence of huge energy from the other cast members, Stoliar inserts her own liveliness quite elegantly, serving to compliment an already busy stage.

The ensemble had exceptional onstage energy and brought the production to life with their physical comedy. Each character had their own unique personality that they incorporated into the story nicely, and although some dialogue was lost, the cast brought such diverse spirits to the play and ensured there was never a dull moment.

Costuming was elegant and helped to contrast the characters with outfits from simple clothes to elaborate suits and dresses. Makeup was truly stunning, especially for the fairies, who literally came to life with their stunning appearances.

All said, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" enthralls audiences with palpable energy, physical comedy, and an elegant technical unit.

Carson C De Baca
St. Margaret's Episcopal
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Corona del Mar's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Encapsulates Chaotic Beauty
written by Carson C De Baca, a junior at St. Margaret's Episcopal School

Bright lights, stunning makeup, and raw emotion constitute CDM's production of this classic Shakespearean tale of four young Athenians searching for love, a wandering acting troop, and a band of fairies who intervene with only a moments notice.

Hermia (Grace Shackelford) oscillates from collected to enraged throughout the play as she struggles with her own love affairs and those of her counterparts. She similarly changes her physical movements, alternating between a composed gait to a rapid dash. Whether it be with her bloodcurdling scream in search of her love or her dramatic and emotional monologues, Shackelford brings her character to life with tangible feeling and pain.

Tristan Neal and Phoebe Alva play Demetrius and Helena respectively, the lively and at times crazed couple. Both Neal and Alva bring fantastic energy to their characters, which is demonstrated through their physical comedy. From the front row of the theater to the wings of the stage, the couple excites and delights with bold physicality. Neal and Alva also succeed in playing off of one another's tenacious physical energies.

The enthralling, dramatic, and hilarious Puck (Sierra Stoliar) captivates, delights, and generally manages to steal the show whenever present. Form her exaggerated tip-toe gait, high-pitched voice, and maniacal laugh, Stoliar brings her character to life at all times. Puck is always inserting herself into the lives of the poor Athenians around her and is best remembered for her exaggerated movements and a commanding voice. Despite the presence of huge energy from the other cast members, Stoliar inserts her own liveliness quite elegantly, serving to compliment an already busy stage.

The ensemble had exceptional onstage energy and brought the production to life with their physical comedy. Each character had their own unique personality that they incorporated into the story nicely, and although some dialogue was lost, the cast brought such diverse spirits to the play and ensured there was never a dull moment.

Costuming was elegant and helped to contrast the characters with outfits from simple clothes to elaborate suits and dresses. Makeup was truly stunning, especially for the fairies, who literally came to life with their stunning appearances.

All said, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" enthralls audiences with palpable energy, physical comedy, and an elegant technical unit.