Midsummer Night’s Dream

Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Reader 7/16/98 – “Every good staging of Shakespeare’s quintessential summer show must contrast widely disparate creatures–classical heroes, Athenian lovers, “rude mechanicals,” feuding fairies. The Boxer Rebellion fails at this task but at least supplies a raw gusto that eludes First Folio. The Boxer Rebellion’s funkadelic version is set in the 1960s and democratically treats all Athenians alike. The lovers are flower children rebelling against their rigid elders as they create a temporary commune in the woods. The fairies are merry pranksters, their magic suggesting potent mushrooms, while Theseus and Hippolyta impersonate beaming grown-ups in a family sitcom.

Though weak on poetry and deficient in lyricism, Danielle Mari’s exuberant staging amply conveys “the fierce vexation of a dream.” Jim Spencer’s Bottom is bellowing and bombastic, Jennifer Willison’s Helen is quicksilver and magnetic, and Matt Brown’s demure lion frolics overtime. Craig Choma’s riotous set recalls a Peter Max poster. If much of the play seems dragged down to the level of the “Pyramus and Thisbe” spoof–well, the 60s weren’t subtle. This Dream is truer to its time than its young actors can know”