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Esteban Andres Cruz as Puck, takes a mission from David Daniels, playing Oberon.
photo by Dan Rest
Midsummer
Night’s Dream
at Lyric Opera of Chicago
review by Ed Vincent
review by Ed Vincent
Innovative and produced with beautiful set
designs, the motion blending perfectly with the musical score. Esteban
Andres Cruz as Puck (a.k.a. Robin Goodfellow, or the servant to
Oberon) was both delightful and
entertaining, the agility to move quickly about the stage and added
humorous interpretations brought a pleasant dimension to the
character. Mr. Cruz is a serious actor when we have seen him in
numerous plays at Oak Park's Festival Theatre, here he is a wild ironic
messenger of love.
The opera is a tribute to the insanity of love and all the events that help it to grow. Oberon was barely on his feet during the whole performance, only a few steps or so in the latter portion of the opera. Most of the time he spends flying about suspended in mid air while Puck did all of the highest speed missions on behalf of his master.
Esteban Andres Cruz was fast moving and sure footed in his running about the stage while filled with small fairies and choreography to make it all work seamlessly.
The opera is a tribute to the insanity of love and all the events that help it to grow. Oberon was barely on his feet during the whole performance, only a few steps or so in the latter portion of the opera. Most of the time he spends flying about suspended in mid air while Puck did all of the highest speed missions on behalf of his master.
Esteban Andres Cruz was fast moving and sure footed in his running about the stage while filled with small fairies and choreography to make it all work seamlessly.
Anna Christy, as Titania is tended to by Fairies galore from Anima, Young Singers of Greater Chicago.
photo by Dan Rest
Anna Christy, as Titania was glamorous
though bewitched by her spouse, her voice was powerful and
dramatic. David
Daniels, as Oberon sang his counter tenor role with grand high
notes, helped perhaps by the
altitude of his standing trapeze.
Actors in the play within a play practice their production of "Pyramus and Thisbe"
photo by Dan Rest
Pyramus and Thisbe was the best and
funniest we have yet to see and Peter Rose as Bottom was a star.
The costumes of modern day motley transitions into classical Greek garb
with a smile and some wonderful costume design especially in the doric
wall costume during the play for the King.
Esteban Andres Cruz as Puck, hangs on and listens to David Daniels, playing Oberon.
photo by Dan Rest
"Pyramus and Thisbe" entertains the Upperclass and Royality of Athens.
photo by Dan Rest
Nick Bottom, played by Peter Rose, brought
the house down with laughter. This is one of the wildest roles to
be played by an actor in the drama and Mr. Rose filled the character
with all the humor and theatrics required and then some.
Anna Christy,
as Titania returns to the stage with her little Indian changeling and a
host of Fairies.
photo by Dan RestWe have seen this opera a number of
times and this is the best we have reviewed. The play is artistic
and exciting and all things came together for a grand premier of
a favorite tale.
Esteban Andres Cruz is great multidimensional talent with a bright road ahead of him. He began his theatrical work in Oak Park at the Oak Park Village Players at the age of 7 in a production of the Dicken's Christmas Carol. He loved acting at an early age and loves the time he had with Jack Hickey the artistic director of Oak Park Festival Theatre, where "he learned to cut his teeth with Jack on Shakespeare". Mr. Cruz is now in a number of television commercials and will be in the third Harold and Kumar film, called "A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas".
Esteban Andres Cruz is great multidimensional talent with a bright road ahead of him. He began his theatrical work in Oak Park at the Oak Park Village Players at the age of 7 in a production of the Dicken's Christmas Carol. He loved acting at an early age and loves the time he had with Jack Hickey the artistic director of Oak Park Festival Theatre, where "he learned to cut his teeth with Jack on Shakespeare". Mr. Cruz is now in a number of television commercials and will be in the third Harold and Kumar film, called "A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas".
Past review from Oak Park Journal with Mr. Cruz as an actor and choreographer.
Esteban Andres Cruz on FaceBook
Career changes lead to two distinctive stage debuts for Chicago-area natives in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Jeff Award-winning Chicago actor Esteban
Andres Cruz portrays Puck (former group sales manager in Lyric’s
ticket department) and
black
Labrador-golden retriever mix Kiowa portrays Starveling’s dog (former service dog with Canine Companions
for Independence) in
new Lyric production Nov. 5-23
Being an opera, Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream comprises marvelous music for exceptional singers, children’s chorus, and orchestra from start to finish.
It also includes the substantial spoken role of Puck, servant to the fairy king Oberon and engine of the many amusing mix-ups that drive the plot. In the Lyric Opera premiere and new production that opens Nov. 5 at the Civic Opera House, native Chicago-area actor Esteban Andres Cruz will portray the impish fairy who puts magical drops into the wrong characters’ eyes and gives one character, the weaver Bottom, the head of an ass.
This is Cruz’s first stage role at Lyric. He previously played a vital offstage role with the world-renowned opera company: Cruz worked in Lyric’s ticket department (2001-06), including two years as group sales manager. During his five-year tenure he pursued his passion for acting after hours with several local theater companies; when he left his position at Lyric it was in order to work exclusively as an actor.
Being an opera, Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream comprises marvelous music for exceptional singers, children’s chorus, and orchestra from start to finish.
It also includes the substantial spoken role of Puck, servant to the fairy king Oberon and engine of the many amusing mix-ups that drive the plot. In the Lyric Opera premiere and new production that opens Nov. 5 at the Civic Opera House, native Chicago-area actor Esteban Andres Cruz will portray the impish fairy who puts magical drops into the wrong characters’ eyes and gives one character, the weaver Bottom, the head of an ass.
This is Cruz’s first stage role at Lyric. He previously played a vital offstage role with the world-renowned opera company: Cruz worked in Lyric’s ticket department (2001-06), including two years as group sales manager. During his five-year tenure he pursued his passion for acting after hours with several local theater companies; when he left his position at Lyric it was in order to work exclusively as an actor.
In 2009 Cruz won a Jeff Award as best actor
in a principal role for his portrayal of Angel Cruz in Jesus Hopped the
‘A’ Train at Raven Theatre – his first leading role in Chicago. Earlier
this year he portrayed Pablo Gonzalez in the much-acclaimed production
A Streetcar Named Desire at Writers’ Theatre, directed by David Cromer.
He can be seen currently in a commercial for Southwest Airlines that
airs during professional and college football games. In 2011 he will be
seen as Pepe Perez in the movie A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas,
with Neil Patrick Harris and Danny Trejo.
Cruz has appeared in stage productions of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Apollo Theatre as Flute/Thisbe and at The House Theatre as Peaseblossom and choreographic collaborator. He has also portrayed several leading and supporting Shakespeare roles in Romeo and Juliet, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and The Merchant of Venice with various Chicago companies.
Cruz was born in Berwyn and raised in Cicero. He earned a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and received theater, improvisation, and dance training with company members of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Annoyance Theatre, ImprovOlympics, and Salt Creek Ballet, among others.
Cruz has appeared in stage productions of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Apollo Theatre as Flute/Thisbe and at The House Theatre as Peaseblossom and choreographic collaborator. He has also portrayed several leading and supporting Shakespeare roles in Romeo and Juliet, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and The Merchant of Venice with various Chicago companies.
Cruz was born in Berwyn and raised in Cicero. He earned a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and received theater, improvisation, and dance training with company members of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Annoyance Theatre, ImprovOlympics, and Salt Creek Ballet, among others.
Kiowa, the black Labrador-golden retriever
who portrays Starveling’s dog in Midsummer, is making his stage debut
at Lyric Opera. “He is a change-of-career dog who was bred and trained
by Canine Companions for Independence, a national nonprofit
organization that places highly skilled assistance dogs with people
with disabilities,” says Debra Locander, with CCI’s regional facility
in west-suburban Woodstock.
“Not all dogs are cut out for a career as an assistance dog,” Locander notes. Kiowa was raised and trained by CCI volunteer Nick Brehney and his family in Schaumburg. “Kiowa has had a change of career – his calmness and eagerness to please make him the perfect performer” in Lyric’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Locander adds.
Midsummer – in November??
What a tangled web they weave! The amusingly intermingled lives and loves of fairies and mortals will be played out onstage at the Civic Opera House Nov. 5-23 when Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a sparkling new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Shakespeare-inspired opera by Benjamin Britten.
Arguably Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was adapted with consummate brilliance by the composer, who collaborated with Peter Pears to substantially reduce the original text while retaining the story’s essentials and Shakespeare’s exact words.
Each major group – the fairies, the lovers, and the rustic comedians – are all memorably characterized. Most of the opera takes place in the forest, where many lives intertwine in amusing and touching ways.
Figuring in the plot are the jealous Oberon, king of the fairies (countertenor David Daniels); Tytania, his ravishing queen (soprano Anna Christy); the weaver Bottom (bass Peter Rose), the bellows-mender Flute (tenor Keith Jameson), and the joiner Snug (bass Wilbur Pauley), who are rehearsing a play intended for the nuptials of King Theseus (bass-baritone Craig Irvin) and Queen Hippolyta (mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, debut); and two lovers, Lysander (tenor Shawn Mathey, debut) and Hermia (mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong), fleeing Athens together because her father, King Theseus, insists that Hermia marry Demetrius (baritone Lucas Meachem). Their attempt to flee is thwarted by Demetrius – who loves Hermia as well – and by Helena (soprano Erin Wall), who loves Demetrius. Additional rustics are carpenter Quince (bass Sam Handley), tailor Starveling (baritone Paul Scholten), and tinker Snout (tenor James Kryshak, debut).
The Jeff Award-winning Chicago actor Esteban Andres Cruz (debut) plays Puck, the mischievous fairy whose misfired attempts to do Oberon’s bidding result in the plot’s many comedic twists. Members of Anima – Young Singers of Greater Chicago portray the fairies, including four with solo roles; they have been prepared by Emily Ellsworth, Anima’s artistic director.
Shakespeare’s play refers to the character Starveling having a dog; a handsome black Labrador-golden retriever mix named Kiowa will make his stage debut in the Lyric production. (Kiowa was bred and trained by Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that places highly skilled assistance dogs with people with disabilities.)
The conductor for A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Rory MacDonald (debut), and the stage director is Neil Armfield, with sets and costumes designed by Dale Ferguson and lighting design by Damien Cooper, both making Lyric debuts. Denni Sayers is choreographer and associate director.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the third Britten work produced by Lyric Opera, following triumphant presentations of Billy Budd (U. S. professional stage premiere in 1970, new production in 2001-02) and Peter Grimes (1974, 1977, 1997-98).
“This is a comic masterpiece, an incredibly successful adaptation of the Shakespeare play,” says William Mason, Lyric’s general director. “Neil Armfield, who gave us a brilliant Sweeney Todd in 2002-03, is directing this charming and visually lovely coproduction with Houston Grand Opera and Canadian Opera Company. Oberon is a signature role for the leading countertenor of our time, David Daniels, whom our audiences adored in Julius Caesar; and Peter Rose is a priceless Bottom. Anna Christy, and Lyric’s own Erin Wall and Elizabeth DeShong, both alumnae of the Ryan Opera Center, are all ideally suited to their roles.”
The Lyric Opera premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed in English with projected English texts. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., except for matinees at 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 5, 8, 10, 13 (mat), 17 (mat), 20, 23. A free pre-opera lecture starts an hour before each performance in the Ardis Krainik Theatre.
Generous sponsors for this new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream are The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, the Earl and Brenda Shapiro Foundation, and Roberta L. and Robert J. Washlow.
The Nov. 5 opening-night performance will air on 98.7WFMT and www.wfmt.com beginning at 7:15 p.m., with WFMT’s George Preston as host and Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines as commentator. The Matthew Bucksbaum Family is the generous sponsor of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Bucksbaum Family Broadcasts through the 2011-12 season, with generous matching funds provided by The Crown Family and Richard P. and Susan Kiphart.
“Not all dogs are cut out for a career as an assistance dog,” Locander notes. Kiowa was raised and trained by CCI volunteer Nick Brehney and his family in Schaumburg. “Kiowa has had a change of career – his calmness and eagerness to please make him the perfect performer” in Lyric’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Locander adds.
Midsummer – in November??
It’s not global warming, it’s the Lyric
Opera premiere of
Benjamin Britten’s Shakespearean fantasy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in a new production at Lyric Opera of
Chicago Nov. 5 - 23
Starring David Daniels, Anna Christy, Peter Rose, Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Shawn Mathey, and Lucas Meachem
Also featuring Chicago actor Esteban Andres Cruz as Puck
and, as the fairies, members of Anima – Young Singers of Greater Chicago, plus a canine cameo by Kiowa, a black lab-retriever mix from Canine Companions for Independence
Starring David Daniels, Anna Christy, Peter Rose, Erin Wall, Elizabeth DeShong, Shawn Mathey, and Lucas Meachem
Also featuring Chicago actor Esteban Andres Cruz as Puck
and, as the fairies, members of Anima – Young Singers of Greater Chicago, plus a canine cameo by Kiowa, a black lab-retriever mix from Canine Companions for Independence
What a tangled web they weave! The amusingly intermingled lives and loves of fairies and mortals will be played out onstage at the Civic Opera House Nov. 5-23 when Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a sparkling new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Shakespeare-inspired opera by Benjamin Britten.
Arguably Shakespeare’s most popular comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was adapted with consummate brilliance by the composer, who collaborated with Peter Pears to substantially reduce the original text while retaining the story’s essentials and Shakespeare’s exact words.
Each major group – the fairies, the lovers, and the rustic comedians – are all memorably characterized. Most of the opera takes place in the forest, where many lives intertwine in amusing and touching ways.
Figuring in the plot are the jealous Oberon, king of the fairies (countertenor David Daniels); Tytania, his ravishing queen (soprano Anna Christy); the weaver Bottom (bass Peter Rose), the bellows-mender Flute (tenor Keith Jameson), and the joiner Snug (bass Wilbur Pauley), who are rehearsing a play intended for the nuptials of King Theseus (bass-baritone Craig Irvin) and Queen Hippolyta (mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, debut); and two lovers, Lysander (tenor Shawn Mathey, debut) and Hermia (mezzo-soprano Elizabeth DeShong), fleeing Athens together because her father, King Theseus, insists that Hermia marry Demetrius (baritone Lucas Meachem). Their attempt to flee is thwarted by Demetrius – who loves Hermia as well – and by Helena (soprano Erin Wall), who loves Demetrius. Additional rustics are carpenter Quince (bass Sam Handley), tailor Starveling (baritone Paul Scholten), and tinker Snout (tenor James Kryshak, debut).
The Jeff Award-winning Chicago actor Esteban Andres Cruz (debut) plays Puck, the mischievous fairy whose misfired attempts to do Oberon’s bidding result in the plot’s many comedic twists. Members of Anima – Young Singers of Greater Chicago portray the fairies, including four with solo roles; they have been prepared by Emily Ellsworth, Anima’s artistic director.
Shakespeare’s play refers to the character Starveling having a dog; a handsome black Labrador-golden retriever mix named Kiowa will make his stage debut in the Lyric production. (Kiowa was bred and trained by Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that places highly skilled assistance dogs with people with disabilities.)
The conductor for A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Rory MacDonald (debut), and the stage director is Neil Armfield, with sets and costumes designed by Dale Ferguson and lighting design by Damien Cooper, both making Lyric debuts. Denni Sayers is choreographer and associate director.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the third Britten work produced by Lyric Opera, following triumphant presentations of Billy Budd (U. S. professional stage premiere in 1970, new production in 2001-02) and Peter Grimes (1974, 1977, 1997-98).
“This is a comic masterpiece, an incredibly successful adaptation of the Shakespeare play,” says William Mason, Lyric’s general director. “Neil Armfield, who gave us a brilliant Sweeney Todd in 2002-03, is directing this charming and visually lovely coproduction with Houston Grand Opera and Canadian Opera Company. Oberon is a signature role for the leading countertenor of our time, David Daniels, whom our audiences adored in Julius Caesar; and Peter Rose is a priceless Bottom. Anna Christy, and Lyric’s own Erin Wall and Elizabeth DeShong, both alumnae of the Ryan Opera Center, are all ideally suited to their roles.”
The Lyric Opera premiere of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed in English with projected English texts. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m., except for matinees at 2:00 p.m. on Nov. 5, 8, 10, 13 (mat), 17 (mat), 20, 23. A free pre-opera lecture starts an hour before each performance in the Ardis Krainik Theatre.
Generous sponsors for this new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream are The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust, the Earl and Brenda Shapiro Foundation, and Roberta L. and Robert J. Washlow.
The Nov. 5 opening-night performance will air on 98.7WFMT and www.wfmt.com beginning at 7:15 p.m., with WFMT’s George Preston as host and Lyric dramaturg Roger Pines as commentator. The Matthew Bucksbaum Family is the generous sponsor of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Bucksbaum Family Broadcasts through the 2011-12 season, with generous matching funds provided by The Crown Family and Richard P. and Susan Kiphart.
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