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Moments in the woods with Animal Fire’s "Midsummer Night’s Dream"

Despite the look on Kate Arvin’s face, Animal Fire’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" delivers an enjoyable experience. Photo by Seraphim Fire Photography

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Oh, how people get wiggly for A Midsummer Night's Dream! They get truly excited when they hear of an upcoming production; it's like the return of an old friend. It was a crowd-pleaser in Shakespeare's lifetime and in every age since. It's been reimagined for discos and acrobats and massively star-studded productions at the Hollywood Bowl. There was even a version set in space. And through it all, even as people I admire regarded me with utter confusion, I maintained my steadfast insistence that it was double-O-stoopid.

I didn't get the appeal. I'd seen too many god-awful performances at high school speech and drama meets to find the antics of its "rude mechanicals" funny. In general, I consider Elizabethan portrayals of royalty pandering, and of everyday folk withering, but Midsummer takes it to a whole new level. So why was I looking forward to Animal Fire's production in Priest Point Park? I enjoyed their last two shows, Macbeth and Twelfth Night, and this was, in fact, a beautiful midsummer night. Who doesn't like a play in the park? I just figured I'd roll my eyes at the over-the-top writing and fairyland nonsense, and hold hands with my wife. Not too shabby.

One of the best things about being a theater critic is being served a plate of crow.

This production is adorable. Not every joke's a corker, mind you, but remember that the definition of "comedy" in the early 1600s was that someone gets married at the end. A Shakespearean romp doesn't have to be joke-setup-joke like an episode of How I Met Your Mother. The plot, about mortals and Amazons besotted by magical flowers, is both dorky and disarming, and you can't beat the scenery.

Having established due care and dedication, Animal Fire attracts professional-grade actors to its ranks. Jeff Painter, a memorable Lucentio in Harlequin's Taming of the Shrew, is likable here as Demetrius. Brian Hatcher, a fellow Harlequin alumnus, is charming, literally, as Puck (though his delivery of iambic pentameter is often singsong). Jay Minton, a veteran of Animal Fire's Idaho origin, won me over as a stage-struck Nick Bottom. Steven Wells stretches neatly into the role of Lysander, and local comic Morgan Picton is terrific in two roles. (Gotta love those Mustardseed satyr horns.) Evergreen Shakespeare is well represented in the persons of Clara Illson (Flute) and Bridget Sievers (Snug et al).

It's been a personal joy to watch Amy Shephard (Hermia) grow as a person and artist - "though she be but little, she is fierce" - and she'll be missed in Olympia theater circles when she departs for graduate studies at Exeter this fall. Kate Arvin, Harlequin's resident stage wizard, turns out to be a lovably loose-limbed comedian, a true comic partner for Minton. I hope to hear more of attorney Brett Douglas's resonant voice, and we even meet one of the best-behaved stage dogs I've ever seen, so good boy, Tonks! Yes, you are!

Best of all, we get quality Shakespeare in the park. Attendance was strong through opening weekend, and there were smiles all around. I don't think it was just because this particular play is so adored. Rather, a summer dusk watching handsome, hapless lovers pitch woo in the park is an evening away from the requirements of working adult life. It's a mini-vacay, a perfect summer date - and best of all, it's free. Grab your family, perhaps even your pet, and take advantage of one of the truly fine things about living where we do.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

through July 31, 7:30 p.m. Thursday–Sunday
donations accepted
Animal Fire Theatre, Priest Point Park, Olympia
animalfiretheatre.com

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