Madcap Misunderstandings on a Midsummer Night

‘Shakes in the City: A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ pares down Shakespeare’s famous play to a mere 60-plus minutes.
Madcap Misunderstandings on a Midsummer Night
A Chicago audience enjoys a 2021 Chicago Shakespeare in the Park summer production. Liz Lauren
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CHICAGO—“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is not only Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy, but it’s also the most popular of his works for summer audiences. Those familiar with it can understand why: It’s a perfect fit for an outdoor park setting. After all, the story about mistaken love and madcap matchings takes place mostly in a forest.

The idea of giving audiences a free summer night out in the company of the most famous playwright of all time began 12 years ago with Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s outing in Chicago parks. It was so well received that it has become a yearly tradition for the city and the theater company.

Betty Mohr
Betty Mohr
Author
As an arts writer and movie/theater/opera critic, Betty Mohr has been published in the Chicago Sun-Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Australian, The Dramatist, the SouthtownStar, the Post Tribune, The Herald News, The Globe and Mail in Toronto, and other publications.