Performance, Theater

“Pyramus and Thisbe”

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“Pyramus and Thisbe” in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Marin Shakespeare Company
Saturday, June 14, 2025. 7:30 PM

“Pyramus and Thisbe“: a play within the play is performed at the end of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as ‘preferred’ entertainment for the court. The original is an Ovid tale from “Metamorphoses”. In “Dream” (as done by the Marin Shakespeare Company) in the current production, the “Players” (who have been chosen as entertainment) are cast as “Pyramus and Thisby”, Wall, Moonshine and Lion.

Wearing brightly colored outfits, (as satiric costumes), Bottom’s dramatic group appear with his ‘fellow’ actors: Peter Quince, Francis Flute, Tom Stout, Snug (who appears as the Lion!) and Robin Staveling (a tailer). Botttom, (actor Steve Price) has appeared in earlier episodes of the play, particularly as Titania’s lover. In the ‘satiric’ play, the lovers “communicate through a ‘crack’ in the wall and their ‘love” is cut short by a misunderstanding, a lioness and suicide!

This is amazing event is delightfully performed in the ‘exaggerated’ manner of amateur acting (probably often seen in Shakespeare’s time.) It is ‘comic’ relief …and also serves as a satiric reflection of what has transpired in the larger context of the play.

The delightful actors of the ‘play within the play’ were: Adrian Deane, (Snout); Richard Paliaziol (Quince); Storm White (Snug); and Elena Wright (Starveling).

The learned critics of Shakespeare tell us that this satire concerns “forbidden love” and “ultimately leads to commemoration by the gods”. If this be so, Bravo. The ‘bravo” in the current production is to be given to the multitalented actors who, playing many roles, brought us to the end of the Marin Shakespeare production of “Dream” with much laughter and joy.

Dance, Performance, Theater

Marin Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Marin Shakespeare Company
Saturday, June 14, 2025 7:30 PM
Adapted, Choreographed and Directed by Bridgette Loriaux

A BRILLIANT, DELIGHTFUL PRODUCTION

This production of “Dream” which opened in the company’s amphitheater Marin County setting (just outside San Rafael), was created with amazing dimensions of setting, acting and especially DANCE.

The director, Bridgette Loriaux is also noted as an aerialist, a cast member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a ‘collaborator” with other Shakespeare festivals. She has certainly created “Dream” as a choreographic dramatic delight. Set designer Nina Ball has provided areas for the play’s intimate moments (e.g.Titania with Puck} but for the most part, actors all dance (and act) across the stage’s full space. This ‘open’ staging brings the merriment of “Dream” to the wide audience arena.

Many of the actors are ‘double cast’: e.g.Titainia/Hippolyta is played by Charisse Loriax: Oberon/Theseus by Johnny Moreno. Steve Price holds is own as “Bottom,” a demanding, hilarious role. All actors deserve applause and cheers for their talent and versatility.

The play flows along with its many scenes, narrative levels and musical interludes. The scenes are punctuated with dynamic ‘choreography’ and stage action. Charrise Lorisaus as “Titania/Hippolyta” and Johnny Moreno as “Oberon/Theseus” are just two of the star actors who are able to amaze and charm the audience in this delightful celebration.

The program notes the setting for “Dream” is 3,000 A.D. Let’s hope Shakespeare and the Marin Shakespeare Company can continue to bring audiences such delight as they accomplished in 2025.

Dance

Mark Morris “Pepperland”

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Mark Morris Dance Group
“Pepperland” (2017)
Cal Performances UC Berkeley
Friday, May 9. Sunday May 11, 2025

Musical Theater ala Morris

The Mark Morris Dance Group presented a weekend of three performances at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley this past weekend. The fourteen dancers are remarkable in their skill, energy and presentation. The audiences is delighted with it all. But, this ‘longtime dance teacher, writer, reviewer was not. There are several reasons.

Choreography: Morris has created “choreography” for his company since 1980 and has worked with many music groups. (I particularly remember his work with Yo-Yo Ma.). “Pepperland’ is danced to “original songs by The Beatles, (arr. By Ethan Iverson). The twelve songs are all delightful to older audiences (who remember them from their time.) But, the choreographic clichés abound: chorus lines, ‘carry-on” lifts that are just ‘cross-overs,’ endless repetitive ‘jazz’ moves and dull duets.

Music: Although the seven musicians and one ‘vocal’ are live and loud, nevertheless the selections come across at top volume, ‘miked’ and amplified. We the audience (mostly older adults) are besieged.

Costumes: Along with the music and movement, the costumes are as varied as exaggerated street clothes. This is to be expected since the ‘casual’ approach to presentation is what’s on here. But it’s not easy to see group ensemble for an hour with some ‘look’ alike on stage.

Presentation: The dancers are introduced one-by-one on a loud speaker with names such as “Albert Einstein” and “Marilyn Monroe”. Again, this is meant to bring humor to the event. When this reviewer sat in the balcony of Zellerbach, very few of the audience heard the names; no one laughed.

But the fourteen dancers have great skill and technique. Their energy and good humor abound, although by Sunday’s matinee it was quite evident they were tired. Opening night, Friday, May 9 was a high level energy, event; the dancers appeared to be having a good time, too.

Morris has become a legend in the dance world. He operates a school in Brooklyn, NY which gives hundreds of classes to all age levels in multiple genres of dance. Bravo! To the Morris Dance Center. For Berkeley audiences, Morris’ group presents a joyous reunion with old favorites, dance and music. For this reviewer, it was ‘show biz”, well done, performed with ‘class” …and often cliché and dull.

Note: all information concerning dancers names, music selections and musicians names can be found on Cal Performances web site.