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Lush, agrarian settings--or at least the suggestion of them--are the norm in productions of William Shakespeare's fanciful romance, A Midsummer Night's Dream. After all, the play takes place largely in a forest and is populated by wood sprites who meddle in mortals' matters of the heart.
But what becomes of such an idyll when it's transplanted to a setting that's less ideal? A new production by vanguard director Anne Bogart and the SITI Company of New York strips the play of its flowery bowers, truly letting the "dream" aspect of A Midsummer Night's Dream take hold. This new vision of a classic makes its world premiere Jan. 30 at San José Repertory Theatre, which commissioned the work from the SITI Company.
The role of imagination takes center stage in every way in this unique production--perhaps no surprise because the SITI Company is known for creating plays with a different perspective. More than a decade ago, Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki (founder of the highly esteemed Suzuki acting method) founded the company, which seeks to promote artistic collaboration on local, national and international levels. The SITI Company's works often feature strong influences of dance and movement, reflections of the physical discipline that the group emphasizes in its actors' training.
The company creates its own plays in addition to bringing fresh inspiration to others' works: everything from the radio play The War of the Worlds to the medieval German drama Death and the Ploughman. A Midsummer Night's Dream will be the company's first reworking of Shakespeare.
San José Repertory Theatre and SITI Company presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Jan. 30Feb. 22 (previews Jan. 2829) at the San José Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. Tickets are $18$52. For more information, call 408.367.7255 or visit www.sjrep.com.
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