A Midsummer Night’s Dream—Oregon Shakespeare Festival—Ashland, OR

                            “Lord, What Fools These Mortals Be!”

    This classic fantasy, by William Shakespeare, is directed by Joseph Haj.  It is playing at the Bowmer Theatre, in downtown Ashland, in repertory, through November 1^st.  For more information, go to their site at www.osfashland.org or call 1-800-219-8161.

    “The course of true love never did run smooth.”  We may be our own worst enemies in this regard.  Miscalculation, misdirection, and misadventure, all play a role, too, in this journey.  “The best laid plans of mice and men,” can easily go awry when forecasting Love.  But an old adage proclaims, “Do not seek out Love, for Love, if it finds you worthy, will guide your course.”  Tis true.

 

    But a needed element, not often discussed, is magic, which this production has plenty of.  It is that something special in the air when encountering Mr. or Ms. Right.  It decides for you, even “across a crowded room…you know even then…and never let [them] go.”  I did…and am all the more Fool for it!   

Shakespeare’s “…Dream” is one of the loveliest fantasies ever written.  It stirs in romance, adventure, comedy, status, politics, mistaken intentions, merry mix-ups and magic in a veritable quandary of a delicious feast.

 

    The story, in short, is the mixing of oil and water and the ensuing results.  It takes place in and around the nuptial eve of the local royalty, the Duke of Athens, Theseus (Al Espinosa) and his lady, Hippolyta (Lauren Modica).  They have invited to their celebration, Lysander (Jonathan Luke Stevens) and Demetrius (William Thomas Hodgson), who both happened to be in love with the same woman, Hermia (Nubia Monks).  This leaves Helena (Royer Bockus) as the odd wo-man out, and who happens to have the hots for Demetrius.

Meanwhile, on the home front, Nick Bottom (Daniel T. Parker) and a motley crew of tradesmen, led by Peter Quince (Tyrone Wilson), including Snout (Michele Mais), Starveling (K. T. Vogt), Snug (Jeremy Gallardo) and Flute (Cristofer Jean) have decided to put on a play, a mixture of romance and tragedy and (unintended) comedy, for the nobility of their fair town, on their nuptial eve.

 

    But the local Fairies have their own set of problems, with the King, Oberon (Espinosa, again), getting jealous because his wife, Titania (Modica, again), is showering so much attention on her new changeling-boy, that he feels she’s ignoring him.  (“Ah, Vanity, I knew you would get me in the end.”—Cyrano).  So, he has his trusted minion, Puck (Jimmy Kieffer), spread some fairy juice on his wife’s eyes, as well as the two young, Athenian men, so that the next being they see, they will lust after.  This gets twisted around so that all the male hormones are directed toward Helena, and Oberon’s wife falls in lust with an ass…but to get the rest of that story, you’ll just have to see it.  Needless to say, all turns out as it should, and every Jack will have his Jill (and vice versa).

    When the curtain call came, only 15 folks came out for a bow and I thought, where is the rest of them?  That is how versatile this company is, that most of them plat 2 or 3 roles…and do them all well!  Especially good are Bockus with her disarming tomboy image; Modica with her no-nonsense queens; Kieffer with his impish delight and marvelous singing voice; and Parker, as an amusing but touching, as the lead player in the Rude Mechanicals.  Haj has served us with a familiar tale of foppish fools, naive lovers and vain royals, and added spice and magic into the ingredients, to celebrate that long lost art--Romance.  A world-weary, European Count once said, “In a world without Romance, it is better to be dead!”  Amen.

    I recommend this play.  If you do see it, please tell them Dennis sent you.

Ashland Cuisene

THE BLACK SHEEP:  This place has long been my favorite establishment to eat authentic Brit food, imbibe in the local brews, indulge in unique entertainment, and to just hang out.  Clarinda has assembled a winning team of servers, but my very favorites are Greg, one of the friendliest people in the place, who always treats you like a long, lost friend and, Lorah, the lovely, lavender lady, who has the warmest eyes, smiles and hugs and, who I look forward to seeing every time I come down.  Long may they all Live and Prosper! 

On the Plaza, upstairs, look for the red door.

ELEVEN ON THE CREEK:  A newbie on the block (in The Loft’s old spot).  Haven’t tried the food there yet but it brags of one of the best chefs in the area, serving unique meals.  But the charm of the place works behind the bar, Carli, who exudes taste, warmth and is a master mixologist of mirth, merriment and makes a mean, Smokey the Pear, her own concoction.  Worth checking out but, admittedly, a hard place to find.  

Off the Plaza, down an alley, near the creek and upstairs.

www.elevenonthecreek.net  541-625-3589.

As always, if you choose to frequent either place, tell them Dennis sent you.

--DJS