Word: evett
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...program note, director Benjamin Evett references “the secret play” that lies within a traditional reading of “Midsummer”: “[It] exists somewhere within the confluence of all these people and these ingenious words.” The idea of confluence, unfortunately, does not apply to the confused design of this production. Evett has attempted to urbanize the play, but his concept does not translate to the stage effectively...
...production’s strengths cannot redeem its deep-seated faults. The poorly-executed design, lethargic staging, and predictable performances make for a night of theater that is passable at best, but largely uninspiring. “Somewhere, hidden beneath the concrete layers of our presumptions,” Evett writes, “lies a new play, surprising, sweet, funny, urgent, vital. We don’t know what it looks like or sounds like, but we will know it when we see it.” It’s a beautiful sentiment, but ASP unfortunately could...
...acting is consistent, with a few standout performances. Benjamin Evett does admirably as both the drunken Christopher Sly and Petruchio, the conniving, arrogant man who weds Kate against her will and then domesticates her. He plays the obnoxious male bravado of the role to perfection, but again, this directorial move seems to invoke the ideas of gender relations in the play above themes of transformation. Beyond that, the casting (which includes eight men and only one woman, playing Kate) seems to play towards the gender themes as well. Bensussen may have been intrigued by Kate’s transformation rather...
...emphasize the opinion that the play is a portrait of misogyny and a comedic study of gender relations—one that continues to entertain. “We never grow tired of looking at how men and women fight and fall in love,” Evett says. But he and the Project see even more relevant themes beneath that...
...Shakespeare has done so much that every generation is compelled to reinterpret him because of the characters, the power of his stories and the deep understanding he has of human nature.” Evett says. “He transcends time. There are a lot of great plays out there—a lot of great plays. But there’s nothing like Shakespeare...