Saturday, September 20, 2008

Adapting the Classics – Midsummer

Red Tape Theatre's panel Adapting the Classics will be presented on Saturday, October 11 at 4:30 p.m., between performances of Dog in a Manger.

Panelist Tony Lewis is the Artistic Director for Midtangeant Productions (http://www.myspace.com/midtangent). They've had great success with their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Queer Tale which I had the good fortune to see in its third revival this July.

Tony's production of Shakespeare's comedy cast Lysander as a no-nonsense lesbian, Helena as a lonely gay man, and Titania as a fantabulous drag queen. When Lysander and Hermia flee the king's persecution, Demetrius gives chase with lovesick Helena close behind. They find themselves in the Boyshood ruled over by Titania and her band of pansexual, club-kid fairies. Love and sexuality prove fluid as Puck's drugs cause couples to mix and match in all combinaitons.

Tony's adaptation was brash, raucous and loaded with sex, but there were more tricks up his sleeve. Not every character in the play was happy to discover their sexuality and the final scene at court turned unexpectedly tragic. This scene fascinated me and convinced me that Tony was someone to invite to our panel.

Other panelists include:
  • Libby Ford, Associate Artistic Director of Greasy Joan & Co.
  • Katie McLean, Artistic Ensemble Member at Lifeline Theatre Company
  • Blake Montgomery, Artistic Director of The Building Stage
Paul G. Miller
Season Dramaturge

Dog in a Manger opens October 6.
Visit http://www.redtapetheatre.org/ for details and to purchase tickets online!

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