“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”- Babes with Blades Reviewed by Frank Meccia

***/***** Babes With Blades Theatre Company’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, directed by Lauren Katz, is a delightful rendition of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, enriched by the company’s signature focus on stage combat and marginalized voices. Known for their dedication to integrating stage combat into storytelling, Babes With Blades infuses this Shakespearean classic with physicality and intensity right from the start, setting the tone with a gripping blade fight that grabs the audience’s attention. This inventive addition serves as a compelling introduction to the world of Athens, where the play’s central events unfold around the impending marriage of Theseus (played by Jalyn Greene) and Hippolyta (Hayley Rice).

As one of Shakespeare’s more playful and comedic works, A Midsummer Night’s Dream relies heavily on its various subplots to create humor and confusion. The production masterfully handles these, offering a balanced portrayal of the many intertwining narratives. The forest setting, where the bulk of the action takes place, is ruled by fairies and other mystical beings. Puck, a mischievous sprite played by Hazel Monson, is a highlight of the production. Monson’s portrayal of Puck is a brilliant mix of charm and trickery, delighting in manipulating the human characters as they stumble through their romantic entanglements. Monson, a familiar face in Chicago theater, brings a lively energy to the role, showcasing the comedic mischief for which the character is beloved.

The three central human protagonists—Hermia, Lysander, and Helena—are played by Cat Evans, Izis Mollinedo, and Patty Roache, respectively. Each actor delivers a strong performance, effectively conveying the emotional stakes of the play while maintaining the light, comedic tone. Evans, as Hermia, captures the determination of a woman fighting for her love, while Mollinedo’s Lysander is full of boyish charm and sincerity. Roache’s Helena is both endearing and hilarious, particularly in her scenes of unrequited love.

The subplot involving the group of amateur actors rehearsing a play for Theseus and Hippolyta’s wedding offers some of the production’s most humorous moments. Sarah Scanlon as Nick Bottom steals every scene, she’s in, particularly during her transformation into an ass and her interactions with Titania, the fairy queen. Scanlon’s performance as the over-the-top, attention-seeking Bottom adds layers of comic brilliance to the production. The physicality of her performance, coupled with her impeccable timing, makes for some of the evening’s best laughs.

Lauren Katz’s direction shines throughout the production. Katz, a seasoned director in Chicago theater, brings her wealth of experience from renowned stages like Steppenwolf and Goodman to this Babes With Blades production. The large stage at The Edge Theater on Broadway is used to full advantage, with Marcus Klein’s scenic design and Esau Andaleon’s stage management working seamlessly to create a magical, fluid environment. The set changes, choreography, and combat scenes flow smoothly, keeping the energy high throughout the 2 1/2-hour performance

Overall, Babes With Blades’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a fresh, dynamic take on the classic comedy. The company’s commitment to stage combat adds a unique element, and the performances are strong across the board.

The production is currently running through November 23 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, with performances :

Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 p.m.

Sundays at 3 p.m.

Select performances will be available for streaming. Tickets range from $28 to $35 and are available at BabesWithBlades.org.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “A Midusmmer Night’s Dream”.