“The course of true love never did run smooth”: Watching the Classical Theatre of Harlem's ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’
By Diana Vidals
Photograph: Courtesy Richard Termine
This summer my priority has been not to let a single day go wasted, so I have been searching for new places, activities, and more than anything, new experiences. This desire led me to check off one item on my bucket list that has been collecting dust, attending Shakespeare in the Park.
Due to renovations at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park this summer, NYC had only one Shakespeare in the Park experience at the Richard Rodgers Amphitheatre presented by the Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH). This summer the Classical Theatre of Harlem is putting on a stunning production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Set in the Harlem Renaissance, A Midsummer Night’s Dream tells the story of 4 lovers, mischievous fairies, and amateur actors lost in the woods as they get wrapped up in chaos on a summer night.
Though a familiar story, CTH’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been edited down to one act, adding energetic dance breaks and jazz tunes between scenes. The show transports you to the height of the Harlem Renaissance, as we follow Lysander (Hiram Delgado) and Hermia's (Ra’mya Latiah Aikens) elopement after Hermia is promised off to Demetrius (Brandon Carter). The two lovers escape to the woods, trailed by Demetrius and Helena (Noah Michal) who is after Demetrius’s affection. Amidst this love triangle, Puck (Mykal Kilgore), a fairy unleashes chaos with a love potion, and a group of amateur actors (Carson Elrod, Allen Gilmore, Olivia London, Deidre Staples, León Tak) prepare for Queen Hippolyta (Jesmille Darbouze) and King Theseus’s (Victor Williams) wedding. With a stunning set that guides you from a 1920s nightclub to a mystical forest, CTH’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream adds a fun twist to this classic story.
My favorite aspect of any show is the costumes! From the nightclub dancers to the fairies, this production gives so much to admire. Designed by Mika Eubanks, each costume had its own flair and mesmerizing element. My favorite had to be Hermia’s pink floral summer dress, which after enduring a trip through the woods and a face-off with Helena is hilariously in tatters by the show’s end.
Photograph: Courtesy Richard Termine
My initial expectation was that I wouldn’t enjoy this production because it was done in Shakespearean but I was completely wrong. This production is nothing like the Shakespeare you read in high school. From Spanish ad-libs to a New York accent, each actor found a way to add a modern twist to the Shakespearean dialogue making it more engaging. Some performance highlights include Hiram Delgado’s love-struck Latin lover-esque depiction of Lysander, Ra’mya Latiah Aikens as the enamored and fierce Hermia, and Mykal Kilgore as Puck who blew the audience away with his playful charm and amazing belts!
Photograph: Courtesy Richard Termine
Overall, the experience of attending the production was incredible. Not only is it a great way to indulge in NYC’s theater scene but it’s an amazing way to share a laugh with a friend. I attended with fellow Gut Instinct writer Angie who despite not being into theater, had a great time. And oh did I mention… It's free! While donations were appreciated, the event simply required a reservation on Eventbrite. I would recommend getting there early to snag good seats because the theater did fill up quickly once 8:00 pm hit.
If you are looking for a good laugh, a fun night, and amazing talent, look no further than CTH’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Source: The Classical Theatre of Harlem
For tickets and more information visit https://www.cthnyc.org/msnd/
