APT makes magic in the moonlight with new 'Midsummer Night's Dream'

Aaron Conklin, Madison Magazine Arts & Culture

June 30, 2017

It’s appropriate that American Players Theatre’s current production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” begins, in celebratory fashion, with most of the cast whooping and bopping onto the stage for a drum-fueled dance and audience clap-along. Everyone’s celebrating the debut of the company’s new multi-million-dollar, renovated Hill Theatre, after all, and this is a great way to make ticket holders feel like they’re at the party.

And besides, the raucous virtual group hug is a hell of a lot more personable and welcoming than watching gruff ‘n’ buff Theseus (Jonathon Smoots) try to smooth over Hippolyta (Laura Rook), his resentful bridal conquest. (Although that’s entertaining, too.)

APT’s engaging in some back-to-the-future magic by mounting “Dream”—the very first play to grace the original Spring Green stage. Even without that historic tie, this an impressive and funny production.

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