Shakespeare Comes To Harlem
If you brave the Summer’s heat and enjoy classical theater in an al fresco setting try NYC’s other Shakespeare venue. This is The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s (CTH) A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM running to July 30th at the Richard Rogers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park, 122nd & Madison Avenue. The program runs 6 days-a-week, Tuesday-Sunday at 7:30 pm except on Fridays when the Jazz Mobile plays a 100 minute concert leaving the play’s start time to 8 pm.
Not to be outdone by The Public Theater’s annual production in Central Park, the CTH’s production of last Friday night’s
classic was a hit. The stage, recently renovated provided a
sound backup for this production with colorful costumes,
lofty recorded music, and a cast of 19 performers.
My associate and I particularly liked the gay prancing and acrobatic gestures of Sheldon Best as Puck, Michael Early’s robust Oberon,Zainab Jah’s dual role as Hippolyta and Tatania and a convincing Egeus played by Anthony Lalor.
The entire production was under the direction of Justin Emeka,
Professor of Theater & African American Studies at Oberlin College, and sponsored by an index of leading corporate org’s
including AT&T, Time Warner,NYC,NYS, and the National
Endowment for the Arts.For more on who’s who in this presentation go to: www.classicaltheatreofharlem.org
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is a fun evening in a comfortable setting, with West Indian dancing, African headdress, and bold, belting voices, in a spiritual setting of Summer love. Find Theseus, Duke of Harlem cavorting between two worlds, one real and factual, the other imaginary,as he sets out to marry Hippolyta, his African queen. Add to this a bevy of “rude mechanicals” who delve to entertain the Duke on his wedding night for fame and fortune.The entire episode explodes to everyone’s delight. What you have is a 90 minute trance where all are welcome.
The CTH has won numerous awards in its past years. Include 5 Obie Awards, 2 Lucile Lortel Awards, 2 Drama Desk Awards and 18 Audelco Awards. First conceived by Joseph Papp, founder of the Public Theater and Dr.Barbara Ann Teer, founder of The National Black Theatre, it’s been a 50-year album of great theater. For sure Uptown Meets Downtown here with more to come.
