A Midsummer Night’s Dream

 A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot
The Drilling Company
July 17, 2025

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company,
Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is two hours of pure joy.  This is their thirtieth year of presenting free summer Shakespeare on the Lower East Side.  Artistic Director Hamilton Clancy has gathered a phenomenal troupe this summer to continue his well-loved tradition.  They are a highly skilled combination of accomplished regulars and bold new faces. 

Egea (played by Lizabeth Allen) brings his daughter, Hermia (played by Miranda Reilly) to Duke Theseus (played by David Marantz) because of her disobedience.  Egea wants Hermia to marry Demetrius (played by Kaleb Baker), but Hermia wants to marry Lysander (played by Patrick Hart).  To make matters worse, Demetrius has been spending time with Helena (played by Lia Bonfilio), but he does not love her.  Theseus proclaims that Hermia must follow her mother’s orders or suffer the consequences.  Lysander and Hermia plan to flee to where Athenian law has no power, and marry there.  Helena hears of this plan and tells Demetrius.  Their paths cross in the forest on a midsummer’s night, where magic and mischief run wild. 

David Marantz, Una Clancy,
& Alessandro Colla

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot regulars, David Marantz and Una Clancy double as Theseus/Oberon and Titania/Hippolyta.  Their relationships in these roles are strikingly different.  They light a fire as Oberon and Titania, creating edgy, zealous characters.  Miranda Reilly, Patrick Hart, Lia Bonfilio, and Kaleb Baker are passionate and endearing as Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius.  Their timing is strong, and their chemistry is potent.  Lizbeth Allen has a strong presence as Egea.  Thammie Laine Quach, Jasmine Gonzales, and Aria Martinelli are mystical and beguiling as Mustardseed, Moth, and Cobweb. 

The Mechanicals are a striking group of actors.  Alessandro Colla and Evangeline Fontaine make their long-awaited comeback to Shakespeare in the Parking Lot.  Mr. Colla is fierce and untamed as Bottom / Pyramus, and Ms. Fontaine is commanding and precise as Peter Quince.  Adam Joy Sall delivers a meek and tender Robin Starling / Moon.  Basil Lvoff is grounded and composed as Snug / Lion.  Marion Stenfort portrays Snout / Wall with a musical flair.  Chris Martel is charming as Flute / Thisbe.  Their individual characters are strong and distinct.  Their comic timing is impeccable.  

Andy Rowell as Puck

Andy Rowell delivers a devilish Puck.  He grabs the audience’s attention from the minute he enters, and they willingly follow him on his magical adventure.  He develops a stunning rapport with Mr. Marantz’s Oberone.  The brightest newcomer to Shakespeare in the Parking Lot is Marie Claire as the Changeling.  

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is playing Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00 PM through August 2.  The parking lot is on the corner of Rivington & Norfolk.  Take the F Trian to Delancey.  Nothing says summer more than FREE outdoor Shakespeare, and no one does it better than the Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. 

Domenick Danza

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

The Drilling Company

July 15, 2016

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

The Drilling Company’s Shakespeare in the Parking Lot production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an updated, fast paced, Lower East Side experience that you MUST see.  Director and designer Kathy Curtiss keeps the action moving and building for a full two hours and twenty minutes without an intermission.  She unifies this relatively large cast with a coherent style and edginess that strikes a chord in the imagination.  Every moment is alive, and Shakespeare’s words ring loud and clear in the expansive outdoor space.

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

Mary Linehan is charming and feisty as Hermia.  She steals your heart and holds her own against Kathleen Simmonds’ fiery Helena.  Eddie Shields and Brad Frost are daring as Lysander and Demetrius.  These four actors light up the stage.  Their physical antics are keenly staged and skillfully executed.  Warren Jackson and Serena E. Miller are bold and earthy as Oberon and Titania.  Their chemistry is palpable and true.  Drew Valins is mischievous and sly as Puck.  His energy is high and focused.  He takes full advantage of his six foot stature to create a Puck that is unique, genuine, and engaging.  Michael Bernstein’s Egeus is authentic and endearing. 

  

Photo courtesy of The Drilling Company

The rustics are a strong ensemble of skilled and funny actors who make the most of every moment.  Their tale of Pyramus and Thisbe takes place in outer space.  The chink in the wall is an opening in a force field.  The lion is a fierce space beast.  Director Kathy Curtiss’ concept works amazingly well.  The scripted adjustments and spontaneous adlibs are witty and entertaining.  Jarrod Bates takes command as Peter Quince, and Jordan Felter amazes as Bottom.  He is honest, bawdy, sensitive, and hilarious.

This is The Drilling Company’s 22^nd season producing Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, and they keep getting better every year.  Don’t miss this exciting and unique interpretation of A Midsummer Night‘s Dream.  There is one more weekend of performances: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, July 21, 22, and 23 at 8:00 PM.  The Parking Lot is located at 114 Norfolk Street (east side of Norfolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets), behind The Clemente Soto Velez Cultural and Educational Center.  Their next production, The Merchant of Venice, performs in the same location July 28 through August 14.  It is also sure to be great. 

Domenick Danza