Shakespeare Jokes Hit Hollywood
Friday, September 26, 2003
By Mariah Marshall
Special to The Hoya: Georgetown University

TAKE TWO: New play combines Shakespearean wit and modern comedy.When the word “Shakespeare” comes to mind, one usually thinks of drama - filled majesty that results in complete turmoil and utter despair.

Well, this play doesn’t exactly fit that profile. But even true Shakespeare admirers can appreciate it for its witty portrayal of the dynamic spark that occurs when the tragic playwright collides with the undeniably comical nature of Hollywood. Playing through Oct. 19 at the Arena Stage, “Shakespeare in Hollywood” will surely change any bad impressions that you had of Shakespeare and verify any bad impressions that you had of Hollywood.

Unlike that of “Hamlet,” “Macbeth” and “Romeo and Juliet,” “Shakespeare in Hollywood” doesn’t offer any moral message or insightful conclusion. It promotes one thing and one thing only - laughter! With witty lines and even funnier characters, this comedy casts Shakespeare in a whole new light. Not only is the art of Shakespeare transformed into complete hysterics, but also the slapstick comedic essence of Hollywood is truly revealed. A play that pokes fun at both Shakespeare and Hollywood … what more could you ask for?

“Shakespeare in Hollywood” portrays the release of the 1935 Shakespeare-based movie, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which falls into the same genre as this play in that it presents Shakespeare in a medium that’s user-friendly to both Shakespeare fans and foes.

Seeing a Shakespeare comedy live on stage is even better, especially in this production. The script is hilarious to say the least. But it is the actors and actresses who nail every line with cunning wit and perfect timing. The characters they portray not only engage and entertain the audience, but more effectively, they interact with the audience.

So it’s the 1930s, and it’s the premiere of Warner Bros’ spectacular remake of a Shakespeare classic. There are the typical red-carpet wannabes - the reporter, the director, the producer and let’s not forget the stars. But the most extraordinary part of the “movie” does not come from Hollywood. Yes, that’s right folks, sometimes actors just can’t cut it. So where does it go from there?

The director, Max Reinhardt (Robert Prosky) takes the audience back a couple of years to when A Midsummer Night’s Dream the film was only a dream, far from a reality. After finally conning Jack Warner (Rich Foucheux) to produce his movie, his dream almost tanks when the two male leads disappear. But coincidentally, magic is in full force that night and two unexpected, enchanted heroes come to the rescue.

None other than the real King Oberon (Casey Biggs) and the real Puck (Emily Donahue) come to save the day. With a little misguided conjuring the pair finds themselves in the land of glitz and glamour, specifically the movie set of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After some mysterious, yet hysterical, encounters with the “mortals,” King Oberon and Puck capture the leading roles in the movie, as well as the hearts of their colleagues and the audience.

But “Shakespeare in Hollywood” only gets better from there. In case you are not familiar with the original premise of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the plot revolves around a flower, a very powerful flower that has the ability to transform the emotions of any creature that it comes in contact with. Whoever gets the pollen of this flower into his or her eyes falls madly and deeply in love with the first person he or she sees. It’s really not a far stretch from true Hollywood. But anyway, you can see why that might complicate relations on the set. After production goes into full swing and the “flower” makes its way around, the producers throw a party to show their appreciation of the actors.

OK, now that’s a far stretch from true Hollywood. But then, the magic strikes and literally dozens of orgies occur on stage. Everything from narcissism to cross-dressing to threesomes transpire to create a sea of laughter. Those bizarre orgies aren’t too much a stretch from true Hollywood either.

The play takes many winding turns that leave the audience gasping for breath, not because they have been frightened or thrilled or chilled, but because they have been made to laugh so hard that it actually hurts. From beginning to end, this theater of the round is transformed from just a stage to a scene of enchantment and side-splitting humor.

“Shakespeare in Hollywood” doesn’t just fulfill the duty of the usual comedy. It actually surpasses it. Playwright Ken Ludwig takes two opposite worlds - Shakespeare and Hollywood - then throws them together and lights a match. What comes out is a fire of laughter so intense that it makes you wish every Shakespeare play could be immersed in Hollywood. By themselves, the two worlds are entertaining, yes, but more often perplexing. Together, the two worlds create a flash that is sure to knock everyone out of their seats and onto the floor rolling in laughter.