Theater Review - Puck it

Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, finds comedy when magical fairies pull the strings of a group of foolish, lovelorn humans. That premise inspires the Center for Puppetry Arts’ new adaptation, which considers the play from the fairies’ point of view.

The Center’s Midsummer Night’s Dream stars Daniel Burnley as Oberon and Janet Metzger as Titania, with Matt Johnson, Dina Shadwell, Lee Randall and Rita Dolphin as their servants. The play’s human characters are portrayed with puppets manipulated, literally and figuratively, by the actors. The design of Katie George’s puppets and costumes and Mercedes Schaum’s set are inspired by the ethereal art of Maxfield Parrish.

Despite the high-concept approach, director Bobby Box explains that the show is a sincere treatment of the play. “After Jon Ludwig’s Wrestling Macbeth last year, everyone thinks this is another satire or spin on Shakespeare,” says Box. “We are doing the actual show, iambic pentameter and all.”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream plays through May 27 at the Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St., with performances at 11 a.m. Mon.-Wed., 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thurs.-Fri., 8 p.m. Sat. and 5 p.m. Sun. $14-16. Recommended for ages 12 and up. 404-873-3391.??