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‘Mid-summer’ lovin’

Newswire Official Rating: 

Emily Hoferer
Diversions Editor

It’s safe to say that William Shakespeare did not have this version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” playing in his head when he wrote the comedy in the late 1500s. But this upcoming weekend, the Xavier Players will infuse some Spanish flair into his beloved classic, and they pull it off in a fashion that would make Shakespeare proud.

The play centers around two couples, Demitrius and Helena, played by freshman Stuart McNiell and junior Briana Hansen, and Lysander and Hermia, played by junior Dave Sandmann and junior Stephanie Renny. As the mischievous Puck (Anne Schmid) interferes with them, causing all of them to fall in and out of love with each other, hilarity and a few cat fights ensue.

There is always movement on stage, which makes the play even lovelier to watch. The fairies are light on their feet and not only entertain but help change the set and add to the eerieness of the forest as well.

Not nearly as colorful or graceful as the fairies was the acting troupe of misfits that were featured throughout the play. Their comic timing was great and their comedic skit in the last scene was a buffet of Shakespearean comedy.

The costumes and set were remarkable, perhaps the best of any Xavier Players show I have seen in quite some time. Junior Rosie Swan, who played the very fancy Hippolyta, had some of the most beautiful costumes in the entire play. It was impressive how the set could go from looking like a Spanish aristocratic courtyard to a mysterious forest so quickly.

This production of “Midsummer” is unique because the director, Xavier alum Erin Bukowski, decided to change the setting of the play from its typical setting in Athens to Spain in the 1800s. Because “Midsummer is usually done in its typical fashion, she made the bold move of changing it.

The reason that she and her cast decided on this particular setting was because they wanted to keep the look of the play fresh and pretty to go along with its original tone, and the clothes, buildings and lifestyle of Spain at this time were very pretty. History buffs will also know that this period was a time in Spanish history that Spain was losing a lot of territory it had in the U.S. and therefore losing control of that land. “It goes along with parents losing control of their children, which is one of the themes in “Midsummer’,” said Bukowski.

While the infused Spanish style worked very well in some places, it simply felt awkward in others. Spanish dancing is very beautiful, but at times it felt like the actors were not enjoying the dancing. The music was beautiful, which will hopefully help with the dancing this weekend.

I do not claim to be any sort of Shakespearean expert, but I felt at times the actors would overacted or became too dry and stiff in their portrayals of the characters. But their collective energy was great and it kept the mood lively and the pace upbeat. The chemistry between cast members was perfect and they pulled off this Shakespeare play very well.

While the departure from the traditional setting was risky, overall it paid off. It presented this beloved play in a way that will be unique for every audience member.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” starts at 7:30 p.m. and runs from March 29-April 1 in the GSC Theatre. Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for general admission.

 Briefs

Stephanie Metz 
Diversions Editor

“A Midsummers Night’s Dream”

Xavier Players will present William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday in the GSC Theatre. Student ticket prices are $5 and general admission tickets are $15.

Poker Tournament

Are you great at poker and would like a chance to win $500? Sign up for the SAC- sponsored Poker Tournament!
The tournament will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday in the Banquet Center in Cintas Center. There is a $10 buy-in fee that the winning table will receive back, the grand winner will recieve $500 and the second place winner will receive $240. Sign up in the caf this week. Seats are limited so hurry!

“Life is Beautiful”

The Latin American Club is hosting a viewing of “Life is Beautiful” at 11 p.m. on Thursday in the GSC Theatre. The event is free and refreshments will be served.

“Spring Concert”

Join the Xavier Gospel Choir and Students Committed to Christ for a two day event: “Restoring the Spirit” at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The event is part of the Gospel Choir’s 7th Annual Spring Concert. There will be a worship service both days featuring guest artists. All are welcome and the event is free.

Voces Inocentes

Oscar Torres comes to Xavier to tell his story after screenwriting the movie Voces Inocentes, a film portraying his life during the civil war in El Salvador and the issues surrounding children soldiers. The movie “Voces Inocentes” will be played at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Kelley Auditorium.