Over the course of two summer weekends, LawnChair Theatre brought Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to over a 1,000 people in Rye, Rye Brook, New Rochelle, and Chappaqua.
Founded in 2006 by Peter and Carin Zakes Green, the company brings outdoor Shakespeare performances to the parks of Westchester County. Their aim is to contemporize Shakespeare without re-writing him, and to create community through work and play. This year’s production focused on our modern obsession with smartphones and social media.
Last year, after many seasons partnering with the Port Chester Council for the Arts, the Greens realized their size and scope called for different sponsorship. At the same time, the Rye Arts Center was looking to increase its performing arts offerings. The Greens and RAC Executive Director Meg Rodriguez thought the two organizations would be a good fit. The success of the inaugural season bodes well for many summers to come.
The casts are a blend of professionally trained and amateur actors. Rye residents Brook Butterworth (Titania), Alicia Hiller (Mahmoudov), and Zoe Patterson were among the starry cast. Peter Green, who is also a social worker at Rye Middle School, played Bottom. The stage manager was Hannah Blake, a rising Rye High School senior.
