Production for the fall play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” began at Plant Theater Company on Sept. 3, 2024. Directed by the Plant theater teacher, Jaime Giangrande, the show dates will be Nov. 14-17.
Shakespeare’s classic comedy revolves around mortals Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius, a passionate troupe of thespians, and the Fairy King and Queen, Oberon, and Titania, respectively. The written form takes place in a forest outside of Athens, Greece, where Puck, Oberon’s mischievous pixie, stirs up trouble for lovers Hermia and Lysander, and the unrequited love of Helena for Demetrius. In addition, Puck plays tricks on Titania, amusingly causing further chaos from the play’s beginning to end.
However, this year’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will have a twist from the classical portrayal. Referred as “The Princess and the Frog” meets Anne Rice (“Interview with a Vampire,” “The Mayfair Witches”), the show will take place in a magical and mysterious 1920s Louisiana Bayou. “I was thinking of the color schemes of the purples and the greens and the magentas and that. And I wanted to do more swamp-esque forest, instead of just the dry forest that we always see,” Giangrande said, on deciding the theme for the play. Then, inspired by her children, who were listening to the soundtrack of “The Princess and the Frog,” Giangrande felt like “it kind of all fell together.” Not only was the Disney movie’s “swampier” setting more appealing, but also the time in which it takes place. Giangrande believed the importance of the 1920s period would resound with the play’s dynamics. “During that time [in Louisiana], there was a lot of stuff still going on, especially with who you can marry, could be with, things like that.”
Learning Shakespeare can be hard enough to understand, with its archaic words and syntax, and this production will not be shying away from the challenge. The actors will use the original text of the play, in all its Shakespearean splendor. However, certain parts may be adjusted for spectator and actor interaction, such as bubbles being blown into the audience. Playing a fairy, freshman Ana Gomez expressed elation and joy in these new aspects of the show, and overall participation. “It’s really exciting. You get to meet new people, and you get a new special experience,” Gomez said.
Plant’s fall play is sure to be full of entertainment and humor that will be packaged in a magically alluring Southern version of the famous Shakespearean comedy. Opening night will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2024. Enjoy the theater-going experience, and support Plant!