Volume 1 Issue 2 The Bard Meets the Beatles

ELAPA Rocks Shakespeare at the Huntington!

Posted by: Janet Borrus  Theatre Teacher

To view or download additional  photos from the event go to: elapamidsummer.shutterfly.com

On April 17th Theatre Company performed A Midsummer Night's Dream: The Bard Meets the Beatles at The Huntington Library. Our adaptation was set in the 1960s and included Beatles' songs performed by the cast. Manuel Martinez dashed back and forth from his drum kit to the stage, providing a steady beat while also playing comic lead Bottom.  Liam Ojeda did double duty as band guitarist and Bottom's friend Francis Flute. 

The two won huge laughs when their characters portrayed tragic lovers "Pyramus" and "Thisbe" at the end of the play. Trinadad Munoz played their delightfully nerdy director Peter Quince, with Maria Rincon, Tiffany Gallegos, and Fernando Vasquez rounding out their posse. 

In the romantic leads, rebellious lovers Hermia and Lysander were played by Velia Esquivel and Emilio Vasquez, who performed a duet of the Beatles' classic Help!  Choir students Melanie Fierro, Jazmin Miranda and Rachel Zuniga were their Chorus.  Theatre company veteran Armando Martinez portrayed Lysander's rival Demetrius as an ambitious army recruit, and Alondra Pena took on the demanding role of Helena, whom he first scorns, then adores.  Lysander and Demetrius fight over her.

                                             Senior Samuel Zaragoza was commanding as Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Mariah Gonzalez was his feisty Queen Titania. Below, she introduces her new love Bottom (who Puck has turned into a donkey) to her fairies, played by Wendy Lopez, Alexa Mendoza, Jacey Caceres, Skyla de la Torre, and Jasmine Tucker.  Puck, played by our versatile actor/dancer David Medina, morphs into tree to disguise himself.

Jose Flores and Samanta Correa played Duke Theseus and Hippolyta, whose wedding provides the setting for the story.

The stunning set was designed by Mr. Guzman's Stage Crew under the direction of Akeime Mitterlehner, one of several teaching artists from Shakespeare Festival LA who supported us on the show.  ELAPA seamstress Isabel Gallegos assisted the Costumer so everyone looked fabulous, and Sara Flores assisted Ms. Borrus as Stage Manager.  Ashley Castro and Maite Sousa designed the cool show logo. There are a few t-shirts left. See Ms. Borrus in G208 if you're interested! 

A big thank you to our arts partners: Shakespeare Center LA, LAEP and The Huntington Library!

Free transportation to the event for Torres students, their families and friends was provided by the Huntington Library.  A glorious time was had by all!