Shakespeare on the Island

Photo 1: Cairo Derdevanis (left) and Jessica Lundy-Paine as Oberon and Puck, respectively.

Photo 2: Sam Brodnitz (far left) as Bottom, performing as the other members of the acting troupe look on.

Photo 3: Daniel Kemp (left), Brooke Anderson (center), and Gabriel Lima (right) as Demetrius, Helena, and Lysander; respectively.

Shakespeare on the Island

By Miguel Gamalinda

From the May 13, 2011 edition of the Alameda Sun

The mystic art of any play written by William Shakespeare has always been one of the most performed and appreciated forms of live theatre. For hundreds of years, Shakespeare's works have been read countless times, to where many already know the final outcome. Despite this, audiences continue to be entranced by the mystery in his works.

Recently in Alameda, one of Shakespeare's most-renowned comedies opened at the Altarena Playhouse: A Midsummer Night's Dream, produced by Alameda Children's Musical Theatre (ACMT). Midsummer discusses what people in real life have to deal with on a daily basis, such as love's trials and tribulations. Midsummer also delves into the world of fantasy and mystery, in the form of a group of troublesome fairies delighting in causing problems for the humans in the show.

Playing the king of these mischievous fairies is 11-year-old Cairo Derdevanis, a sixth-grader at St. Joseph's Elementary School. Derdevanis, who also played Captain von Trapp in ACMT's The Sound of Music last November, portrays the character of King Oberon with the regal, seriousness and intimidation required of a king. However, she also brings out Oberon's light and humorous side many times throughout the entire play, in particular, a hilarious lyp-synch to Ray Charles' "I've Put a Spell On You."

Accompanying Oberon in his misadventures is his trusty servant and jester Puck, played by Jessica Lundy-Paine, a seventh-grader at the Oakland School for the Arts.

Lundy-Paine's Puck is a willing servant to Oberon, though not always accurately completing his tasks.

The role of Titania, Oberon's queen, is played by Sarah Nunn, an accomplished actress who shows the seemingly more level-headed side of the fairy's royalty. As Titania, Nunn seems to be the "real" leader of the fairies, seemingly preferring to associate with the the population of the fairies than getting involved with her king's schemes. Accompanying Oberon, Puck and Titania is an ensemble of eight fairies ranging from age five through 11 who elegantly and gracefully perform multiple dance numbers throughout the play.

Of course, a Shakespeare play isn't a Shakespeare play unless there's a little love triangle involved, or in this case, a love "square" of sorts. This refers to the four "lovers" in Midsummer, who see the aforementioned trials and tribulations of love with their own eyes. These lovers are known as Helena, Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius; and are played in that respective order by Brooke Anderson, Tatum Anderson, Gabriel Lima and Daniel Kemp.

Being a Shakespeare comedy, there have to be characters that make fools of themselves throughout the show, and in Shakespeare's mind, there was no better way to incorporate this into the play than to include a troupe of hilariously bad actors, portrayed by excellent actors who are serious about theatre. This troupe of bad actors who think they're great continually try to rehearse a play within the play in hopes of being able to perform for King Theseus, however, they are interrupted when the fairies decide to cause mischief again. Definitely standing out among these actors is ten year-old Sam Brodnitz, who plays Bottom/Pyramus.

Brodnitz, who has been acting for a long time, brings a large amount of energy and character into his role, and his portrayal of the overdramatic Bottom is definitely unforgettable.

Overall, A Midsummer Night's Dream is a fantastic show for all audiences and it is heartwarming to see these performers of all ages working together in a shared passion.

A Midsummer Night's Dream was is believed by most to have been written between 1590 and 1596. ACMT's production of Midsummer is directed by Sarah Kraft. Midsummer runs through Saturday, May 14, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on May 13 and 14 and a matinee at 2 p.m. on May 14. For more information and for tickets, visit ACMT's website at www.acmtkids.org, call 510-521-6965, or send an email to acmtkids@gmail.com.

Miguel Gamalinda is a musical theatre actor who recently appeared in "Pippin," "Little Shop of Horrors," and "The Sound of Music." He is currently scheduled to appear in Berkeley Playhouse's upcoming production of Seussical, and is a graduate of Island High School.

[NOTE: This article has been revised since its original publication]