By Lynn Venhaus

What treasures St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and our bi-state area public parks are! We are so fortunate to have such forward thinkers in our midst.

And because of these creative souls, ta-da! – we have a late summer treat in the form of a delightfully entertaining, high-energy Afrocentric interpretation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with original music.

During August, the TourCo has been crossing rivers and county lines, going into both rural and urban areas, and providing access to the arts that these neighborhoods may not have otherwise. It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of –and the show is unlike anything you have seen before.

Six perspicacious performers present one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies by taking on multiple roles as young lovers, close-minded royal parents, mischievous fairies, and a goofy troupe of traveling actors on their way to perform at the Duke of Athens’ wedding.

The multi-talented Tre’von Griffith has directed with a clear vision, making the confusion and disorder lucid, showing us how love and joy win out in the end. Assistant director was Cameron Jamarr Davis.

The fleet-footed six dance and sing with a great deal of zest. Their spirited delivery spreads the fun by involving the audience, and it’s wonderful to see that connection. Stage Manager Britteny Henry makes sure everything moves swiftly.

That famous line: “The course of true love never did run smooth” is in this play, and that’s the crux. In Athens, Hermia is promised to Demetrius but loves Lysander. Meanwhile, Helena, Hermia’s best friend, loves Demetrius. It gets complicated when spells are cast in a magical forest, for fairies get mixed up in the romances when love potions are used on the wrong people.

A life force, Tiélere Cheatem plays Helena, Hippolyta (queen of the Amazons) and Peter Quince, and it is a graceful site, such lovely physicality to watch. Rae Davis excels as Hermia, Tom Snout and Titania (queen of the fairies), and the amusing Ricki Franklin easily switches from Demetrius to the goofball Nick Bottom – a cartwheel! — while Asha Futterman nimbly does double duty as Theseus (Duke of Athens) and Oberon (king of the fairies). Mel McCray is an agile Lysander and Francis Flute, and Christina Yancy is spry alternating as Egeus (Hermia’s father), Snug, Robin, and Puck.

Everyone should leave with a smile on their face and a song in their hearts.

Griffith, known as Tre-G, is a gifted artist and composer from St. Louis who graduated from the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston with a bachelor’s degree in music business and management. His original music enlivens the pared-down play – and the beat is contagious in getting the crowd into the show.

The imaginative costumes by local designer Brandin Vaughn are whimsical and cleverly separate the characters – and Cheatem rocks whatever he is wearing with great style.

Laura Skroska crafted a production design that is interesting, portable, and quick to assemble in all kinds of outdoor spaces.

So, what are you waiting for? You must make time to spend 90-minutes in its final free evening programs.

Originally scheduled for 24 shows, four remain (Aug. 24 – Jones Water Park in East St. Louis, Aug. 25 – Shaw Park in Clayton, Aug. 26 – Chroma Plaza in the Grove, Aug. 27 – Hermann, Mo., and final night is Tuesday, Aug. 30, the rescheduled Tower Grove Park performance, which had been rained out.

The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Bring your own chair or blanket. Guests can bring their own food and drink, and some sites sell items, too.

Go!

Live theater has enriched my life immeasurably, and one of the best experiences is to witness a production outside with an audience of all ages and walks of life. Connecting with others through the arts is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

One summer night growing up in Belleville, Ill., the neighborhood public school put on a version of “Tom Sawyer” on their grounds. I recall benches were placed in an alcove, but I don’t remember what age the cast members were — all I know was I was entranced. This was in the mid-1960s, and as the oldest of five kids raised by a single mom, we had very little money for extra things. The arts opened a whole new world.

Free theater! I never forgot that opportunity, and throughout my previous life staging shows outside, I marveled at the melding of art and the outdoors – it seemed so natural.

(And later, I’d realize how much work they were – moving everything outside! But I digress…And fun fact, a local professional actor who often is part of the big summer show in Shakespeare Glen was in that grade school play I saw. Small world, full circle, six degrees…and so forth).

I have been fortunate to review the festival since 2013, and one of my favorites was “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” the summer of 2016. It was so inspired and playful. This one, too, is doused in fairy dust. While it helps to know the basics, really the way they prepare the show makes it easy to follow for all of us.

Because my June schedule prevented me from coming earlier, I headed to the picturesque village of Brussels, Ill., population 112, on Sunday, Aug. 21, a place I hadn’t been to in 25 years! In the fall of 1997, I had taken my two sons hiking in Pere Marquette State Park and we took the Brussels Ferry across the Illinois River. This time, now living in St. Louis, I drove to St. Charles and crossed the Mississippi River on the Golden Eagle Ferry.

Winding through the narrow roads of Calhoun County, I found the town center on Main Street – and saw folks in lawn chairs at Heritage Park, enjoying the pleasant sunny day and festive spirit. The music and the likable performers were engaging everyone, and Community Engagement Manager Adam Flores warmly welcomed those gathered.

It was such a joyous communal experience – and to see people coming up to the performers afterwards to say how much they enjoyed it, well, what’s better? (And we had time to get to the ferry as twilight fell!).

The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival started fostering community and continuing the Shakespearean tradition of art for all in 2001, when they first presented a free show for two weeks in Forest Park – “Romeo and Juliet.” Now a month long in Shakespeare Glen that attracts thousands, the free event is the start to summer for many St. Louisans.

St Louis Shakes doesn’t end with the big show – which was the fun and funny “Much Ado About Nothing” this June – because the TourCo works their summer magic throughout the region, and come September, we have the annual free Shakespeare in the Streets to look forward to – and this year, it’s in my old neighborhood of Bevo Mill, at the intersection of Morgan Ford Road and Gravois Avenue Sept. 22-24.

The focus will be on our thriving immigrant population in the city’s southside. Deanna Jent, who did so much work with the Bosnian Project through Fontbonne University, has written this Shakespeare adaptation with them in mind.

This December, the one and only Q Brothers Collective will present their version of “A Christmas Carol.” Winner of multiple St. Louis Theater Circle Awards for their hilarious “Dress the Part” two-hander in the ‘before times’ of early 2020, I’ve heard their audio version – courtesy of the walking tour in the Central West End in the pandemic wintertime of 2020 — and I’m ready to see their fresh take at the National Blues Museum Nov. 25-Dec. 23.

You won’t want to miss any of it.

For more information, visit www.stlshakes.org.

Guests are encouraged to call ahead to the Box Office (314-287-3348) with any park accessibility questions for the tour date they plan to attend.

It is always their hope to perform, so the decision to hold or cancel the show is rarely made before showtime (6:30 pm). In the event of bad weather, the performance may be delayed. Check social @stlshakesfest across platforms for updates or call 314•287•3348.

The Festival’s 20-year-old touring program returns for the second time as the free and outdoor public park tour, TOURCO, throughout Missouri and Illinois with A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The production will be directed by Tre’von Griffith, St. Louis/NYC-based theater artist, composer and founder of WerQfest also known as Tre-G, and featuring costumes by acclaimed local fashion designer Brandin Vaughn. This 90-minute highly musical afro-futurist adaptation will play in 24 different locations August 2-27 starting on opening night at Kiener Plaza in the heart of downtown St. Louis.

“It’s family-friendly. It’s fun. It’s completely free to attend. And it’s coming to a park near you.” – Director Tre-G.

Cast includes:
Tiélere Cheatem … Helena/Hippolyta/Peter Quince
Rae Davis … Hermia/Tom Snout/Titania
Ricki Franklin … Demetrius/Nick Bottom
Asha Futterman … Theseus/Oberon
Mel McCray … Lysander/Francis Flute
Christina Yancy … Egeus/Snug/Robin/Puck

The Cast

Frequently Asked Questions:

WHAT TIME IS THE PERFORMANCE?

  • 6:30 PM – 8:00 P.M. Central Time

HOW CAN I ATTEND?

  • TourCo is free and open to everyone, no reservations are required. Seating is first come first serve. Bring your own chairs or blankets. All ages welcome. 
  • Find the location closest to you: https://bit.ly/3yn393j

WHAT NIGHT ARE THE PERFORMANCES?

  • There are performances nightly Tuesday-Sunday. There is no show on Monday. 

ACCESSIBILITY

  • Audio Descriptions will be provided by Mind’s Eye Radio on August 3 at Tower Grove Park
  • ASL Interpretation will occur on August 26 at Chroma Plaza

Guests are encouraged to call ahead to the Box Office (314-287-3348) with any Park accessibility questions for the tour date they plan to attend. 

ARE PETS ALLOWED?

Yes! Well-behaved and leashed pets are allowed at all performances. 

FOOD & DRINK OPTIONS

Guests can bring their own food and drink. Select sites will have vendors as noted. 

RAIN POLICY

It is always our hope to perform, so the decision to hold or cancel the show is rarely made before showtime (6:30 pm). In the event of bad weather, the performance may be delayed. Check social @stlshakesfest across platforms for updates or call 314•287•3348.

Schedule:

TUE AUG 2Kiener Plaza500 Chestnut St,. St. Louis, MO
WED AUG 3Tower Grove Park [AD]4257 Northeast Drive, St. Louis, MO
THU AUG 49 Mile Garden9355 Gravois Ave, Affton, MO 63123
FRI AUG 5Etzel Heights SubdivisionSparta Ct and Robert Powell Pl, St. Louis, MO
SAT AUG 6Bellevue Park401 Bellevue Park Dr, Belleville, IL
SUN AUG 7Fairground Park3715 Natural Bridge Ave, St Louis, MO
TUE AUG 9Crown Square (Old North)1400 St. Louis Ave, St. Louis, MO
WED AUG 10O’Day Amphitheater1000 O’Day Park Dr, O’Fallon, MO
THU AUG 11Schroeder Park359 Old Meramec Station Rd, Manchester, MO
FRI AUG 12Love Bank Park2851 Cherokee St, St Louis, MO
SAT AUG 13Harney Mansion Grounds332 S Mansion St, Sullivan, MO
SUN AUG 14Pomme Creek Park1 Golfview Dr, Arnold, MO
TUE AUG 16Schlalfy Bottleworks7260 Southwest Ave, Maplewood, MO
WED AUG 17Carondelet ParkLoughborough Dr and Field, St. Louis, MO
THU AUG 18Chesterfield Amphitheater631 Veterans Pl Dr, Chesterfield, MO
FRI AUG 19City Park101 S Buchanan, Edwardsville, IL
SAT AUG 20January-Wabash Park501 N Florissant Rd, Ferguson, MO
SUN AUG 21Heritage Park131 Illinois River Rd, Brussels, IL
TUE AUG 23Fountain ParkFountain Ave & N. Euclid Ave. St. Louis, MO
WED AUG 24Jones Water Park2600 Caseyville Ave, East St. Louis, IL
THU AUG 25Shaw Park27 S Brentwood Blvd, Clayton, MO
FRI AUG 26Chroma Plaza [ASL]4041 Chouteau Ave, St. Louis, MO
SAT AUG 27Hermann Farm526 E 1st St Hermann, MO
Schedule

For more information, contact Allie at allie@stlshakes.org or call 314-287-3348. 

“Spell # 7” will be The Black Rep debut of rap artist Tef Poe. Tef Poe has received numerous Hip-Hop awards for his work, and was recently featured as a Harvard Fellow at the W.E.B. DuBois Research institute.

Tef says “This is an opportunity for me to sharpen my skills and work with some of the best talent in this region.  The Black Rep is known for reimagining what’s possible in Black entertainment.  I knew this would be a challenge for me. My background obviously isn’t rooted in theatre. But the hip hop world has a few commonalities so I’m able to play into my strengths with this character. I’m honored to be a part of this production.  My respect for my cast mates and our director is insurmountable.”

“Spell # 7” will also feature Drummond Crenshaw, Robert Crenshaw, and Jacqueline Thompson as well as four of our Professional Acting Interns: Brian McKinley, Tyler White, Christina Yancy, and Camille Sharp.

“Spell # 7” is a striking choreopeom by the author of “for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf”, Ntozake Shange.  Set in a bar in St Louis frequented by Black artists and musicians, actors, and performers. In a series of dreamlike vignettes and poetic monologues, they commiserate about the difficulties they face as Black artists.  The piece is framed by the narrator, Lou (played by Brian McKinley), a magician who wants to use his magic to help the artists come to terms with their Blackness and rejoice in their identities.

“Spell # 7” is the second production supported by the Sophisticated Ladies Giving Initiative.  This initiative supported last year’s production of Nina Simone: Four Women by Christina Ham.

This production is also funded with support from the Regional Arts Commission, World Wide Technology, Washington University in St. Louis, Steward Family Foundation, and Centene Corporation. “Spell # 7” is also underwritten in part through a grant from the Creative Impact Fund for Diversifying the Arts – a partnership between the Arts and Education Council and local community leaders.

“Spell # 7” is directed by Ron Himes, with choreography by Heather Beal, scenic design by Dunsi Dai, lighting design by Joe Clapper, costume design by Brandin Vaughn, and sound design by James Biko.  Jim Anthony is the stage manager and D’Angelo Himes is the assistant stage manager.

The production will run Feb. 19 – March 8 at the AE Hotchner Studio Theatre on the campus of Washington University. Tickets are available at www.theblackrep.org/, or by calling the box office at 314-534-3807.

###

About The St Louis Black Repertory CompanyThe St Louis Black Repertory Company was founded in 1976 by Producing Director Ron Himes. The Black Rep is one of the largest, professional African-American theatre companies in the nation and the largest African-American performing arts organization in Missouri. Quality professional dramas, comedies and musicals by primarily African-American and international playwrights are produced. Mainstage productions and education programs combine to reach more than 80,000 people annually.