Shakespeare's timeless truths come back to life

"To say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays."

Bottom's line, recited by Ethan Poore in McCook Community College's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," is as true today as when Shakespeare penned it more than 400 years ago.

Poore's portrayal of an actor in a play within the play was delightfully exaggerated, reaching to the audience in the back of the Fox Theatre, beneficiary of the Town and Gown renovation fund-raiser Thursday night.

Equally well-cast were David Sandman as Puck, Justin Bass as Lysander, Carson Kain as Demetrius, Megan Friesen as Hermia and Cara Hunt as Helena and all the rest of the players, missing hardly one of the Bard's tongue-twisting lines.

But the Elizabethan English shouldn't frighten potential play-goers away; the actors are well- mic'ed and the action clears up any points in the timeless tale about the mystery of love that might elude modern American ears.

Directed by Sue Watts, the play featured lavish sets depicting ancient Athens built by Dr. Richard Tubbs and MCC students, colorful costumes designed and coordinated by Janet Hepp and props and crew coordinated by Jane Shields.

On the heels of the SWNCTA production of "Annie," "A Midsummer Night's Dream" showed no signs of our community's theatrical energy abating.

A cooperative effort between the college, Southwest Community Theater members and many other members of the community, the play will be on stage again at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Fox.

We encourage everyone to take in one of the remaining performances; you'll encourage students and adults to continue their efforts, and help restore an irreplaceable venue as well.