Another warm review for David Foubert and the cast and crew of Midwinter Night’s Dream at Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, which is delighting enthusiastic audiences now through the end of the year. (Article requires a subscription.)
“But Crowe is a great director, he’s got an excellent cast, and this is a wonderful production. The show confidently checks all the boxes that make for a great “Midsummer.” David Foubert’s Bottom is impossibly pompous without ever sacrificing his charm. Billie Wyatt’s Puck is a bouncing ball of giddy mischief. Hippolyta (Jessica Ires Morris) and Oberon (René Thornton Jr.) conjure a clear sense of mysticism. The fight scene between Hermia (Emily S. Chang) and Helena (Fiona Robberson) is dynamite and fun: the two try desperately to get at the other’s throat while Lysander (Isaac Hickox-Young) and Demtrius (Christian Frost) struggle to hold them back before much of the proceedings break down into — brilliantly — a snowball fight.
Shakespeare purists might be heard to wail that this show adulterates a summertime classic and sacrifices the themes of blossoming new life, but such a Grinchy critique can find no traction in the ice and snow of this “Midwinter.” The smart and fun adaptation in fact celebrates Shakespeare’s “Midsummer” by exploring its full dimensions. And this is a wonderful production to boot. “Midwinter” proves to be warm and joyful holiday theater.”
Patrick Maley, “‘Midwinter Night’s Dream’ revamp gives Shakespeare holiday seasoning on N.J. stage”, NJ.com, Dec 14, 2023
