Theater Review: Shakespeare in the Parking Lot Offers Up Stripped-Down, Abridged Performances That Are Great Introductions to the Bard

It was a warm summer-ish day in the spring when I managed to catch a performance of Denver Center for Performing Arts’ program Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, an abridged stripped down Shakespeare production that uses a pick-up truck as the soul set dressing and where costumes were a combination of contemporary clothing and makeshift props and clothing made from automotive accessories. While they often travel to schools and libraries to perform, this was a special performance at Re:Vision’s campus in which the entire play was translated into Spanish for Spanish-speaking audience members to enjoy as well with special devices.

The play for this day was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a play I have a little bit of experience with, having acted in the show my freshman year of high school as Peter Quince, the leader of the misfit band of actors who perform a play within a play at the wedding at the end. I was a bit of a Shakespeare nerd in high school, and I was overjoyed to actually act in a Shakespearian play. Yet, while familiar with the story, it has been a long time since high school, so it was a refreshing reminder to be reminded of the story that I enjoy so much.

Despite being a bare-bones, abridged version from a cast of actors who have done this (and other Shakespearian plays) a number of times, they really put on a solid performance that fully captured the humor of the comedy. With a small cast, most actors played two or three roles, with Peter Quince doubling as Puck, Helena, and Titania being played by the same actor, and a single actor taking on the roles of Theseus, Bottom, and Oberon.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is more known for its mischievous comedy than any dramatic performances, but I got the impression that this humble band of actors could do a great job of carrying off the dramatic depth of one of the tragedies or dramas that Shakespeare wrote. And it’s true that this company often pulls off performances of Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth, both of which require more dramatic range from an actor. But, for a lighthearted performance on a spring afternoon, this was the perfect performance to offer up, and their execution of the comedy was absolutely hilarious.

So the next time you have an opportunity to observe one of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot’s performances, I highly recommend it. This is a troupe of performers who appreciate Shakespeare and can really bring out its appeal to a modern audience. Abridged thought it may be, this is a fitting tribute to the Bard and a great opportunity to teach people about Shakespeare.

Photo courtesy of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot