Find ‘Midsummer’ in South Philly with REV Theatre Company

Usually, as soon as things warm up, everything from rugby to kickball to Little League baseball is happening on the field at Columbus Square Park, while every dog-walker in South Philly east of Broad circles the fence and kids fill the east side playground. Mark Cofta covered some of the Philly summer’s outdoor Shakespeare offerings in his July theater picks, but lawn chair aficionados of the Bard shouldn’t forget REV Theatre Company’s free Columbus Square performances.

This year, the Friends of Columbus Square present REV’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream July 14-16. The popular touring production (“a potent brew of fantasy, romance and fun,” according to REV) is suitable for all ages and has already played for over 8,500 people in Philly, Scranton, New York, and throughout Connecticut.

Expect highly physical staging, lights, ladders, kiddie pools, and fairies (of course) with “urban street chic,” plus musical numbers including pop classics like Mr. Sandman and Dusty Springfield’s I Only Want To Be With You.

REV co-artistic director Rosey Hay (a college mentor of your WNWN editor), former assistant director at the Royal Shakespeare Company, helms the production, and her REV partner Rudy Caporaso stars as Puck (Hay and Caporaso are also the co-artistic directors of Cape May’s Shakespeare at the Estate). Globe Theatre alum Mark Knight appears as Bottom, alongside many of Philly’s young professionals.

Bring a date (and/or the kids), blankets, chairs, and a picnic before the show if you’re inspired.

REV Theatre Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is coming to Columbus Square Park (between Wharton and Reed and 12th and 13th Streets) on Thursday, July 14; Friday, July 15; and Saturday, July 16 at 7pm. The show runs two and a half hours, including intermission.