Reviews of shows from the New York International Fringe Festival will appear on ArtsBeat through the festival’s close on Aug. 25. For more information, go to fringenyc.org.
Sometimes a play is 90 percent premise and 10 percent execution. If you even vaguely know Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer’s Night Dream,†about four young lovers who spend the night (chastely) in the Athenian woods, and Bram Stoker’s “Dracula†(or any vampire story, really), you will get the whole idea behind Neal J. Freeman’s 55-minute horror comedy, “The Nightmare ‘Dream.’ â€
In Shakespeare’s mind, apparently, the worst thing that could happen to four such youngsters was to become temporary victims of mischievous fairies who cast silly love spells. In Mr. Freeman’s, they are set upon by a pack of thirsty vampires. It’s a good bet that this “Dream†will not end with a happy wedding.
Oberon (Patrick Toon), king of the fairies, is now a Dracula type with a dramatic cape and evil intent. His wife and queen, Titania (Akyiaa Wilson), wears blood-red, snarls frequently and is attended by two crouching females with fangs. Kyle Metzger is highly interesting as Renfield, the bug eater. And Minna Taylor (yes, Minna) is entertaining as Helena. Mr. Freeman directs, not subtly but with a lightweight sense of fun.
“The Nightmare ‘Dream‘†continues through Sunday at the 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street, Manhattan,
