The Red and Black

Issue date: 6/26/08 Section: Variety

Media Credit: BILL SHEEHAN, Rose of Athens Theatre Olubajo Sonubi (left) and Lisa Mende perform in the Rose of Athens Theatre's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." [Click to enlarge]

Though William Shakespeare set "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in Athens, Greece, the Rose of Athens Theatre brings his ideas closer to home for locals in Athens, Ga.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a romantic comedy that follows two pairs of young sweethearts as they work to untwist the innumerable love triangles between them, only to find themselves in a forest among completely unhelpful and interfering immortals.

The cast includes the four lovers - Demetrius, Hermia, Lysander and Helena ­- a scheming King of the Fairies, his queen and his right-hand man and troublemaker, Puck.

Director Lisa Cesnik decided to put a modern spin on the play and set it in present day Athens, Ga. The play opened June 19, and surprised audiences expecting classic Shakespeare.

Contemporary clothing and occasional references to places of interest in town help to create an atmosphere the audience can relate to.

"It is important that the audience relate to the story," Cesnik said. "And getting the audience involved is a big goal of ours at the Rose of Athens Theatre."

Cesnik works with a small cast of professional actors who must take on multiple roles, as is custom at the Rose of Athens Theatre.

Bajo Sonubi, who plays Demetrius, is acting in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" after having done so in last year's production of the play at the Rose of Athens Theatre.

"I am excited about this production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' taking on multiple roles allows me to use aspects of myself that I don't get to use that often. I get to explore," Sonubi said.

The Rose of Athens Theatre is following "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with its production of "The Taming Of The Shrew," directed by Kristin Kundert-Gibbs.

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