By Cari Lynn Pace
Ahhhh! Late summer has arrived in Mill Valley’s fairy-tale forest of majestic redwoods in Old Mill Park. While children play in the creek below the grove, picnics are spread on nearby tables, and renaissance music wafts through the stage area.
This is the Curtain Theatre, showcasing award-winning plays complete with music, dancing, and many lovely costumes. The final weekend of this year’s stunning production is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, playing weekend afternoons and closing Labor Day Monday.
The large cast dances and dashes in and out of the forest-in-a-forest set, designed by Steve Coleman, in lovely period costumes designed by Jody Branham. The grove fills with the sounds of flute, concertina, mandolin, and more under the direction of Don Clark. Even the band is in costume!
“… Life is a dream…Love flutters like a butterfly …”
Director Michele Delattre, ably assisted by Kim Bromley, has molded Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and lust into a fun-to-follow story. Rebellious couples want different mates than the ones chosen by their elders. The fairies – always mischievous and led by Puck – are keen to demonstrate their powers to induce love. But something goes seriously amiss. The Queen of the Fairies (a marvelous Heather Cherry) gets the worst of the bargain when she awakes in the enchanted forest in love with an ass.
Fear not, for it all ends well.
A remarkable aspect of this production of Midsummer is that the performances are … free! Donations, of course, are welcome. The shows are well-cast and polished, with talented locals giving their all to a delightful afternoon of Shakespeare. Donations are critically needed if the Curtain Theatre is to continue, given the costs of each presentation.
All ages are welcome to attend these open-air and open-seating shows. Parents bring young ones for their first exposure to Shakespeare; the pageantry enthralls most. Picnics abound, with a few tables not far from the stage area. A small snack bar is available. The company sets up plastic chairs on a first-come basis. Bring your own for lounging behind the Mill Valley Library. Dogs on leash are encouraged to watch the show.
Playing at 2:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day (Monday, September 1st). The hottest summer afternoons can become cool in the grove, so bring layers.
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ASR Writer & Editor Cari Lynn Pace is a voting member of SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and writes theatre and lifestyle reviews for the Marinscope Community Newspapers throughout Marin County. Contact: pace-koch@comcast.net
| Production | A Midsummer Night's Dream |
|---|---|
| Written by | William Shakespeare |
| Directed by | Michele Delattre |
| Producing Company | Curtain Theatre |
| Production Dates | Saturdays/Sundays and Labor Day Monday at 2 PM through September 1st |
| Production Address | Old Mill Park Amphitheater. 375 Throckmorton Avenue (behind the library), Mill Valley |
| Website | www.curtaintheatre.org |
| Tickets | Free! |
| Reviewer Score | Max in each category is 5/5 |
| Overall | 4.5/5 |
| Performance | 4.5/5 |
| Script | 4.5/5 |
| Stagecraft | 4.5/5 |
| Aisle Seat Review PICK? | Yea, Verily! |