It's All About Puck:  'Short Stories'

By Vanessa Sgroi © 2008

The brilliant August sun was just taking the first steps of its descent in the palest of blue skies.  Its golden light spilled over the park and granted perfect summer warmth in its own command performance. 

The audience gathered early, anxious to garner a good seat on the grass and eager to soak up some Shakespeare in the park.  Makeshift stages, courtyard and woods, stood silent, awaiting its performers trodding footsteps to come alive.  Scenery in repose. 

Ten minutes before curtain, Veteran's Park in Webster, New York, is a sea of myriad colored lawn chairs and the more old-fashioned blankets.  Young and old side-by-side.  Small town spirit and energy abound. 

Curtain is called and crowd conversation slowly fades.  In the resultant hush, the story of Demetrius and Hermia, of Lysander and Helena, and of fairies Oberon and Titania begins.  It is a curious blend of Elizabethan English and modern-day costumes.  A timeless story.  A timeless classic momentarily interrupted by the odd drone of a motor-powered parachuted flying object slowly whirring and put-putting over the park. 

From an Athen's courtyard to the fairy-laden woods and back again.  The dreamy story unfolds.  A saga of love lost and unrequited, perceived betrayal, mistakes and misunderstandings, and ultimately love found.  And through it all, the fairy Puck frolics and jumps, climbs and chortles.  And mesmerizes.  As he does in nearly every rendition of Shakespeare's romantic comedy. 

Soon, all too soon, the play that had begun in the summery sunshine ended in the star-studded darkness.  And under a three-quarter moon, Puck's antics came to a triumphant end. 

Truly, it was a magical midsummer night's dream.

The End...

 

Sign the Guestbook