A Midsummer's Night Dream

young lovers

William   Shakespeare’s  A Midsummer’s Night Dream is being showcased  by The Lantern Theater Company, 10^th and Ludlow Streets through April 17. This two and a half hour production is a delightful rendition of Shakespeare’s comedy. For those who are unfamiliar with this whimsical tale, suffice it to say that it revolves around the fate of one pair of young lovers who are kept apart by Athenian law and another mismatched pair of young lovers, both of whom dash off to the woods. When some of them are bewitched by a mischievous fairy, the result is uproarious. Charlotte Ford (Hermia), David Sweeny (Lysander), Lee Ann Etzold (Helena), and Bradley K. Wrenn (Demetrius) are the four young lovers who not only excel in their comedic portrayals, but in the physicality of their performances as well. Their chasing each other across the stage and sliding along the floor as one connected entity keeps the audience in stitches. Fortunately for all audience members, the Lantern is in an intimate setting with seats on two sides of the stages so everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy the facial expressions of these talented young actors. Exaggerated though they might be, they are very effective in eliciting laughter. An equally funny subplot involves the group of men who decide the put on a play for the Prince’s nuptials. Both the costumes and set are very creative. This play is just plain silly so plan to go and have a good time laughing.  On Monday nights most theaters are “dark” but on Monday March 28 and Monday April 7 you can attend a discussion with some of the actors on different themes of the play. The Scholars in Conversation program runs from 7:00PM – 8:30 PM. In March, the topic is SEX- and the panelists will discuss love, power and attraction at the play’s heart. In April the discussion will revolve around how the mayhem of MAGIC drives this production. For more information or tickets, call 215-829-0395 or visit online at www.lanterntheater.org.