1. LMU theatre students perform “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” at Concert Park
2. A big crowd gathers to watch Shakespeare in the park, a first for Playa Vista
3. A child gasps at the magical mischief on stage
4. Titania falls under a love spell
5. The Mechanicals add big laughs
to the play within the play
Shakespeare came to life at the newly renovated Concert Park for the very first time on Sunday, June 30, with a gleeful sunset performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Loyola Marymount University’s theatre arts program.
A giant golden frame served as a proscenium of sorts, but the actors — a cast that included professionals as well as LMU alumni, faculty members and current drama students — utilized the entire park to bring this romantic comedy to life.
Because there was no backstage, actors stayed in character throughout the 90-minute show, sometimes crawling on their hands and knees through the audience seated on blankets. Puck even hung out on a lamppost for a spell. Parents sipped rosé as their kids chased each other and did cartwheels.
LMU also brought a production of “Othello” to Playa Vista’s Central Park Bandshell on July 29.
— Shanee Edwards
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