Brooke Ciardelli - Portfolio - A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

by William Shakespeare

Original adaptation by Brooke Ciardelli, set in a 1920's Harlem Jazz Club including music from the era.

Times Argus – by Jim Lowe

“Director Brooke Ciardelli has taken the fantasy from Shakespeare’s time to 1928 Harlem. The feuding couples are Westchester County WASPs who escape from their controlling parents to, rather than the magic woods, an exotic Harlem nightclub called The Wood. There, white mixes with black – with magical results . . . . Stylish, sexy and hilarious”

“Ciardelli directs the fast-paced momentum of this very funny and fun production”

The Herald – by Charlie McMeekin

“Ciardelli didn’t miss a thing . . . although the words are Shakespeare’s, the inflection and accent is pure jive”

News Leader – by Ella Reney

“Ciardelli’s current version of the Bard’s comedy of love and errors is truly a brilliant show . . . . a smash hit”

“Brilliant in color and tempo because director Brooke Ciardelli has updated the time of the play to the swinging, sexy jazz age of 1928 with a speakeasy bar in one corner of the set, and the actors in colorful costumed mix of flapper-style and black tuxedos . . . Each scene is brought to a comic pitch with flawless timing and the dancers’ dynamic energy and exaggerated movements flowing smoothly with the lyrical prose of the play”

CREATIVE

Director: Brooke Ciardelli

Choreography: Scott Davidson

Scenic Design: Bill Reznicek

Lighting Design: Annmarie Duggan

Costume Design: Rachel Kurland

Sound Design: Brooke Ciardelli

CAST

Stephen Watkins

Jammie D. Patton

Donovan C. Knowles

Lisa Melita French

Lisa Abend

Brian Turnbaugh

Matthew Iott

John Devaney

Carolyn Gordon

Kasim Saul

Amelia Fowler

Jimi Egan

Jeremy Scott

Julia Lane

Eric Carroll

Cedric Hill

Karen Chamberlain

Marina Franklin

Rebecca Brody

Caroline Tamas

Faa’izah Mustafa

Jonathan Stuart