REVIEW: Theater

I have had a most rare vision: a flawless, enjoyable performance of a Shakespeare comedy that made me laugh till I cried.

Theater of the Seventh Sister's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is just plain great — and I'm no easy sell on Shakespeare or comedies.

Director Beth Schachter's contemporary take on this oft-produced comedy of misbegotten love made Shakespeare an absolute tickle.

Schachter didn't do it alone, though. This cast of standout performers really understood their material and easily transferred that to an opening night audience of about 240 in North Queen Street's Stahr Armory.

Someone once told me before a performance that the key to "getting" Shakespeare is not trying to understand the words. That was the longest performance I ever experienced.

In this case, though, Schachter infused so much physical comedy into "Midsummer" that the plot came across easily and the visuals could just be enjoyed.

Schachter's contemporary cues didn't hurt, either. While I hesitate to publish spoilers, this Shakespearean troupe bursts into contemporary songs — and some of the corniest you know — to emphasize Shakespeare's most basic building block: the absurdity of love. You will hear Al Martino's "Cuando, Cuando, Cuando," Shawn Mullins' "Lullaby" and "Every Breath You Take" by The Police. And you will lose all respect for these songs, if you ever had any.

It's an obvious plus that there's not a weak link in this cast. I especially enjoyed Brian Martin as the devilish, Gumby-esque Puck, a rap singer a la "American Idol."

Forrest McClendon's Oberon, King of the Fairies, is like none you've ever seen — pimped out in grasshopper-green garb and using a trippy England-by-way-of-Jamaica accent, he's the fairy equivalent to the guy who runs the neighborhood. Some of this show's best moments are McClendon paired on stage with Martin.

The quartet of lovers is excellent, too, especially Meaghan K. Witri as Helena, whose physical comedy and whining lines make her, I'm sure, the most engaging stalker ever to stride the TSS stage.

TSS co-artistic director Gary Smith opened this debut performance in the company's new space at the armory with palpable Puckish excitement: "Pretty cool place, huh?"

And it is. Sure, it's a gym, but TSS has long managed by necessity to turn any available space, no matter how lacking in charm and intimacy, into a theater, and this might be the most impressive transformation yet.

Chinese lanterns hang from suspended tree branches, and the gym's vaulted ceiling isn't too shabby, either. While some might miss the park part of Shakespeare in the Park, this is a more than pleasant trade, and one I'm happy to make in this weather.

If you love Shakespeare, don't miss this show. If you really hate Shakespeare, don't miss this show. And if you just like a good time, don't miss this show. It puts the most clever shake in "Shakespeare."

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" runs through Sunday. Performances are free, but call 396-7764 to reserve seats.

E-mail: slindt@lnpnews.com