The MET’s outdoor performance ‘Midsummer:

A Most Rare Vision’ lives up to its name

The Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s production of its original “Midsummer: A Most Rare Vision” truly lives up to its name by being the most innovative and refreshing performance art I’ve ever encountered in Frederick County.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the show unfolds in short, immersive vignettes throughout the grounds of ThorpeWood, a 125acre wooded Catoctin Mountain retreat that is primarily used for nature-based programs.

The show opens with everyone gathered in a central pavilion, where very young and very talented performers dressed in fairy costumes dance in a big circle around the audience. The fine fairy folk then divide the assembled visitors into groups and lead them off to performers who are found ensconced in tree groves, swinging from barn rafters, floating on a pond and perched atop an ancient stone wall.

The gorgeous sylvan setting truly elicits a sense of magical wonder, a feeling that anything could happen just around the next corner. Anyone who walks those paths in the hazy summer twilight will likely encounter a similar sensation, especially since the visitors tend to feed each other’s curiosity by sharing their speculations between scenes.

But in order to get the very most out of the experience, familiarity with Shakespeare’s original work is required. Heading into the trees, my mind conjured images of fairy shenanigans from the play even before I came upon the first vignette. The grounds of ThorpeWood are like one of the Bard’s enchanted forests come to life.

I kept thinking I saw Puck or Oberon out of the corner of my eye, and then I’d turn to find naught but lush greenery. As Duke Theseus says in the play, when “shaping fantasies” fill the mind, “how easy is a bush supposed a bear!”

In addition to supplementing the ambience, knowledge of the play is also important because the MET provides very little in the way of introduction to their little set pieces, about half of which are new, original monologues or songs that use Shakespearean language to expand on the characters’ stories.

The piece simply called “Hermia,” elegantly written by Jessica McHugh, is haunting, tragic and beautiful as delivered by Delaney White under a giant tree. But without already knowing Hermia’s backstory as the prized bride of Athens, smart original lines, like “My blood would not pump in the idolatry of men,” likely won’t land on the observer with as much force as they deserve. For those who know the character, however, encountering her in this up-close, intimate setting feels more like catching up with an old friend than watching a performance.

One of the character encounters actually is a conversation, rather than a performance. In the piece called “Advice from an Ass,” the audience meets the Midsummer character Bottom (James McGarvey) after Puck has given him the head of a donkey. Anyone could delight in the ass’ stunningly bad life advice, such as his suggestion that I im-

THE MET’S “MIDSUMMER: A MOST RARE VISION”

When: 7 p.m. June 23 and 23 Where: ThorpeWood, 12805A Mink Farm Road, Thurmont Tickets: $32 Info: 301-694-4744, marylandensemble.org pose word limits on my mother to keep her from commenting on my career path, but again, previous knowledge of the character enhances the experience.

Shakespeare wrote him in such exaggerated terms that there is remarkable unity in the performance of the character across centuries. Seeing McGarvey retain those classic mannerisms extemporaneously without the aid of the script was the true delight of this encounter.

There was one exception to the lack of introductory material on this fantastical journey. I thought at first that the characters standing in for the show’s “Rude Mechanicals” gave a bit too much exposition, stating too clearly the goal of providing a modern take on Shakespeare. But as they got into their hi- larious bumbling improv routine, they turned into a real homage to the source material. It became a good reminder that the Bard himself was providing his own modern take on classic stories for his time, essentially giving all future performers liberal license to borrow from his material.

But just in case anyone was offended by the major departures, the show comes to an end with the same apology as the original, only this time with added explication. After the separate audience groups come back together for a musical sendoff led by the MET’s producing artistic director Tad Janes on guitar, a character styled as “The Wise Man” pronounces Puck’s final reassurance that all we have seen was “no more yielding but a dream.” In case anyone in the audience needs a translation, he reminds everyone in modern English that art doesn’t need to be taken too seriously.

The wise man needn’t worry, though. In the bucolic setting of ThorpeWood, it seems unlikely that anyone could be too worried about anything.

Erik Anderson’s MA in medieval literature only qualifies him to write about Chaucer, but he’s going to tell you about local theater anyway.

Thursday June 22

CLASSES

“Crossroads” Exhibit — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Museum of Frederick County History/ Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. The history of Frederick County has unfolded around its crossroads, from rural villages and towns to the city’s square corner. $12, $10, $8. director@FrederickHistory.org. cognitoforms.com/HeritageFrederick1/ stitchesthroughtimeexhibittickets.

Virtual Genealogy Lecture Series: “How To Use Canva For Creating and Sharing Family History” — 7 p.m. at Virtual, . Presenter is Roslyn Torella. All lectures on the fourth Thursday via Zoom. 240-818-1937. tinyurl.com/msfsajvy.

Etcetera

Stitches Through Time: Women’s Work from Farm to Fashion — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Museum of Frederick County History/ Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. Explores one story of women’s work, interpreting the history of textile production up to the 1950s. $12, $10, $8. Tonya@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.

Frederick County 275th: “The Vast Void of a Famous Photo: Three Confederate Prisoners at Gettysburg” — 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. In this “history mystery” presentation, investigative researcher Paul Bolcik attempts to find the answers. Bolcik explores possible medical connotations related to Brady’s timely image. fcpl.org. Pour House Trivia — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Champion Billiards Sports Bar, 5205 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. Extended Happy Hour from 4 to 8 p.m. 301-846-0089. frederickchampions.com/weekly-specials.

Family

Maryland Junior Rangers Program — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Greenbrier State Park, 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro. During this three- day program kids ages 7-10 will connect with the natural world by participating in outdoor recreational activities and hands-on environmental education programs. $25 per child, $15 for each additional family member. 301-791-4767. cecilia.melton@maryland.gov. dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/ western/greenbrier.aspx.

Summerfest Family Theatre: Guava Jelly — 10 a.m. at Baker Park Band Shell, 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick. Caribbean-influenced and family fun with reggae vibes. Bring a canned food item in lieu of admission to support the Foodbank Program operated by the Frederick Community Action Agency. celebratefrederick.com.

Biodiversity and Pollinators — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Greenbrier State Park, 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro. Learn about the importance of biodiversity for successful butterfly conservation through a fun group game. Meet at Nature Nook (next to concessions). 301-739-3104. laura.nalven@maryland.gov. dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/ western/greenbrier.aspx.

Gallery

The Hagerstown and Frederick Railway Exhibit — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. From 1896 until 1954, a network of interurban trolley lines were built linking communities across Frederick and Washington counties. This exhibit presents the history of these electric railways and how they changed the landscape and communities of Frederick County. $12, $10, $8. director@ frederickhistory.org. cognitoforms.com/HeritageFrederick1/ stitchesthroughtimeexhibittickets.

Celebrate Two Exhibitions! — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres in the Kaylor Rose Garden while getting a first look at “Treasures of State: Maryland’s Art Collection “and take a stroll through “Landscapes & Legends of Norway: William Singer and His Contemporaries.” RSVP required.

$25, $15 museum members. 301-739-5727.

cschelle@wcmfa.org.

Music

Alive@Five: Enslow — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Carroll Creek Amphitheater, Frederick. Live music. Outdoor happy hour. Ages 21 and older only, with ID. $6 entry plus $6 drinks. Food available for purchase. 301-698-8118. downtownfrederick.org.

Summer Concert Series: Rebekah Foster — 6:30 p.m. at Renfrew Museum & Park, 1010 E. Main St., Waynesboro, Pa. Rebekah’s style is an intriguing mix of finger picking, slap-guitar, and rhythmic strum patterns with powerful melodic vocals and a broad scope of lyrics. Donations gratefully accepted. 717-762-4723. renfrewmuseum.org.

Live Jazz at the Cocktail Lab — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Get swanky with us every Thursday night for live jazz and your favorite craft cocktails. 21 and older. 301-233-4817. monica@tenthwarddistilling.com. tenthwarddistilling.com/events.

Christian McBride — 7:30 p.m. at Majestic Theater, 25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, Pa. Eight-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader. 717-337-8200. gettysburgmajestic.org.

Theater

‘Midsummer: A Most Rare Vision’ — 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Thopewood, 12805-A Mink Farm Road, Thurmont. An immersive/environmental piece that is inspired by Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” $15-32. 301-694-4744. zcallis@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/ midsummer-2023.

Friday June 23

Classes

Summer Solstice Yoga and Sound Bath — 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. Local yoga instructor Christa Angelo will guide you through a gentle yoga flow suitable for all experience levels, calming breathing practice, and full moon meditation. Stephanie Flores of Alchemy Yoga and Soul Empowerment will lead the sound bath. Register in advance. $45, $40 museum members. 301-739-5727. cschelle@wcmfa.org.

Etcetera

Mike Marks Memorial Golf Outing for Sophie and Madigan’s Playground — 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Woodlands Golf Course, 2309 Ridge Road, Windsor Mill. All proceeds benefit Sophie and Madigan’s Playground, an inclusive playground being built in Frederick to honor the lives of these beautiful sisters. $140. 443-745-4298. mjm24foundation@ gmail.com. mjm24.org.

Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Brewer’s Alley Restaurant and Brewery, 124 N. Market St., Frederick. Journey through Frederick’s gruesome and bloody past. Nearly 300 years of war, executions and revenge. True documented stories of the paranormal. Reservations recommended. $15. 301-668-8922. info@maryland ghosttours.com. marylandghosttours.com.

Family

Gardening for Monarchs — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Greenbrier State Park, 21843 National Pike, Boonsboro. Visit our new pollinator garden in front of the lifeguard station and learn how to plant a pollinator garden. Discover the characteristics of a successful pollinator garden. Meet in front of the lifeguard station. 301-739-3104. cecilia.melton@maryland.gov. dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/ western/greenbrier.aspx.

Festivals

Red Wing Roots Music Festival — at Natural Chimneys Park, Mount Solon, Va. 50+ bands across five stages. The Steel Wheels, Old Crow Medicine Show, Robert Randolph Band, Watchhouse, Sierra Ferrell. Food, craft beer, cider and wine in the beer garden, bike rides and group runs, morning yoga sessions, kids’ zone, on-site camping. redwingroots. com.