JHS ACTORS BRING SHAKESPEARE TO LIFE (REVIEW)

While some creative works only a generation or two in the past seem hopelessly out of date, other masterpieces hold their magic centuries later.

More than 400 years after William Shakespeare penned "a Midsummer Night's Dream," the romantic comedy still has all its charm, wit and inspired chaos. The Jackson High School Drama Club put on an energetic and entertaining rendition of the circa 1595 classic Friday and Saturday night. Although it was a slightly modified version, adopted by Doug McClure, the metered verse, the fairy magic and the beloved characters that have charmed audiences for centuries, were still there.

The plot revolves around two sets of would-be lovers, Hermia and Lysander and Demetrius and Helena. Hermia (Meredith Lape) and Lysander (Ben Martin) are in love, but Hermia's father Egeus (Andy Conklin) has instead consented for her to marry Demetrius (Josh Zinner), who is also smitten with Hermia. Demetrius, meanwhile, is blind to the passion of Hermia's friend Helena (Lydia Blades), who adores him.

In fact, happy couples are hard to come by much of the play. Eugeus, the Duke (Andy Conklin) is about to marry Hippolyta (Heather Graham), who is rigidly icy to her betrothed. Even in the angelic realm, bliss is elusive. Fairy King Oberon (Andrew Luehrs) is having his own problems with his wife Titania (Kelly Shields).

The duke backs Egeus, commanding Hermia to properly respect her father and obey his wishes. In desperation, Hermia and Lysander meet in the woods to flee for haven in Athens where they may wed. They tell Helena of their plan however, and are betrayed. Hoping her loyalty to Demetrius may somehow win his heart, she tells him of their flight. Meanwhile, the woods are also occupied by an inept band of would-be actors, hoping to earn a handsome lifetime pension by performing at the duke's wedding celebration.

Oberon sends his chief mischief-maker Robin Goodfellow (aka "Puck") to help the poor mortals out by making Demetrius love Helena instead of Hermia. He also instructs her to make his wife look foolish by falling in love with some monstrosity.

The latter is no problem for Puck (Jeni Zinner). She gives a donkey's head to Nick Bottom, egomaniacal "star" of the little acting troupe. When the queen awakes from her slumber, she immediately falls in love with the donkey-headed Bottom.

With the others, though, Puck goofs. She casts her spell on Lysander instead of Demetrius. Chaos reigns as both men begin fighting over Helena, with a stunned Hermia being brusquely shunned. Sadly, the suspicious Helena cannot even enjoy the attention. She is convinced her friends are playing a cruel joke.

All of the wrinkles are finally ironed out and the duke and his bride opt to see the bungling actors perform, despite some reservations. In a 1595 version of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the duke and his guests have a ball second-guessing and back-talking the inane actors and commenting on the plot as it unfolds--or collapses.

Written as a salute to the sometimes misguided exuberance of youth, the play is best performed by a young and energetic cast. The JHS crew, led by Director Tracy Fisher, is just that. The bard's work is brought home in fine style by the strong cast and crew.

There seem to be no weak links on the stage. Oberon's and Titania's fairies (Katie Fink, Laura Wissehr, Patti Gray, Jennifer Buckner and Jenise Lichtennegger, along with the more visible Peaseblossom [Alishia McIntyre], Mote (Emily O'Loughlin], Mustardseed [Bethany Hold] and Cobweb [Jennifer Nelson]) fill the bill. So do less seen performers like the lords and ladies (A.J. Biri, Kristen Bundy and Amanda Barton) at the end of the play and Shannon Rhodes as the Indian boy.

Conklin is solid as the stubborn father, Egeus, as is Jennifer Wilcutt as Philostrate, the duke's adviser. Price and Graham are believable as the duke Theseus and his standoffish bride Hippolyta. As the merriment of the wedding celebration continues, the duke unwinds and get into the spirit of berating the unartful drama being performed.

The "rude mechanicals" as the laborers-turned-actors are called, are delightful. Playing a bad actor is a tough piece of acting and Tim Nicolai, Joe Gibbs, Mark Anderson, Chris Shank, Lucas Rouggly and especially Josh Tomlin, pull it off well. Tomlin, especially, is entertaining as the self-centered Nick Bottom.

The two young couples are well-presented by Lape, Martin, Josh Zinner and Blades. The four react well to each other and have strong stage presences. Balancing lively stage movements with 16th century names and an ongoing rhyming meter is most challenging. The four pull it off with a flair.

Luehrs and Shields, as the fairy king and queen are also sharp. Titania and her chief angels fawning over the donkey-headed Nick Bottom is certainly a highlight. Luehrs turns in strong work both with Shields and with Jeni Zinner, threatening, glowering and rebuking with aplomb.

Zinner is worth the price of admission alone, meanwhile, as the feisty Puck. She turns in an energetic and athletic performance as the rambunctious fairy. Darting, ducking, gliding and leaping, she is a bundle of barefoot energy throughout the performance. Zinner reacts wonderfully to Luehrs and never loses the impish grin or the mischievous gleam in her eyes, despite the athleticism and endurance demanded by the role.

Fisher and her crew, student directors Gabe Hartwig and Connie Aufdenberg and Stage Manager Jack Johannes, succeed in bringing the age-old tale to life with fresh enthusiasm and appeal.