Dream of a Midsummer: A Midsummer Night's Dream at Portland Center Stage

 

Notes to self after seeing A Midsummer Night's Dream at Portland Center Stage.

 

If I hadn't seen this play, would I be making my current story a love story, and changing the hero from male to non-binary?

 

If I hadn't seen this play, would I have stayed home on the third evening of summer, and recycled my own boring thoughts?

Would I have laughed myself silly, smiled until my face hurt, or giggled with a weird combination of wonder, embarrassment, shock, admiration, delight, and surprise?

If I hadn't seen this play, would I have connected so dearly, in such deep harmony, with my queer friend who came with me?

If I hadn't seen this play, would I have thought about the era four hundred years ago, when males played female parts in Shakespeare's plays? Or how, when you scratch the surface, so many of Shakespeare's characters are gender fluid?

 

If I hadn't seen this play, would I have appreciated the glorious fragility and adorability of humankind?

The answers are: no, yes, no, no, no, no.

 

If you can, get to Portland Center Stage this weekend! It's your last chance for a YES of an experience!

 

*Both photo credits:  Tamera Lyn for Portland Center Stage