'Shakespeare in Hollywood' brings classic characters into 20th Century setting

By MYRNA PETLICKI
Chicago Tribune

Puck is a terrible navigator. That can be the only explanation for how he and Oberon, two characters from "A Midsummer Night's Dream," wind up on the set of Max Reinhardt's 1934 movie version of Shakespeare's classic tale of mischief and mayhem.

The Theatre of Western Springs is presenting Ken Ludwig's witty play "Shakespeare in Hollywood" from May 31-June 10, under David Knezz's direction.

"Puck made one of his many mistakes," said La Grange Park resident Rob Cramer, who plays Oberon. "Instead of taking them back to where they actually belong — in the world of Shakespeare and dreams — they end up in a place that's similar. But it's the movie set of where they really want to go."

Making mistakes is a way of life for Puck, who Cramer described as "sort of a perpetual eight-year-old who has tons of energy and loves mischief. He does the best he can but often screws up."

"Puck is very childlike. Everything is exciting to him," said Janet Venzon of Western Springs, who plays the mischievous fairy. "Every nuance of Hollywood he gets enraptured by. It turns into some funny bits for him."

Puck and Oberon couldn't be more different from the people that they encounter. "They are two authentically magical characters with supernatural powers amidst all these normal people," Cramer said.

Nevertheless, they fit in because the actors figure their accents and flowery speech can be explained by assuming they are getting into character for the auditions. Their outfits confirm that.

"I go through the whole first act wearing a headdress and robe, and bizarre boots and tights," Cramer explained. Puck's clothing is equally ludicrous.

Cramer noted that audiences will see a more romantic version of the King of the Fairies than the one Shakespeare created. In Shakespeare's version, "He's the one that causes most of the trouble because he wants something," Cramer said. "He's willing to do whatever is necessary to get it. Even though he has a queen, his relationship with her is pretty antagonistic."

Apparently, Oberon is seduced by Hollywood's glamour in this version because he falls in love with one of the actresses in the movie. "There's a sweet scene at the end where he makes a very generous sacrifice to help other people's feelings," Cramer revealed.

Puck is also softer here. "In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' he's more knavish, more sly," Venzon said. "I don't get that feeling from him in this play."

Shakespeare aficionados will hear some familiar lines in this work. "Ludwig has taken some actual speeches from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and other Shakespeare plays and woven them into the script," Cramer reported. "The more you know about Shakespeare, you get extra little presents. But if you don't know Shakespeare at all, you can still really enjoy it."

"Anyone can go into this show and appreciate the humor behind it," Venzon concurred.

'Shakespeare in Hollywood'

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, May 31-June 10, plus 7:30 p.m. June 3 and 2:30 p.m. June 9

Where: Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs

Tickets: $20-$22

Information: 708-246-3380; theatreofwesternsprings.com