I’ve never been a fan of the Bard’s work - in any format - despite being english. It just doesn’t do anything for me, even in the musical form. So I wasn’t especially looking forward to Broadway Record’s latest release - A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream. However, it was a recording that interested me greatly, due to the back story of how it came about.

This brand new musical adaptation of Shakespeare's beloved play features music by Eric Svejcar, lyrics by William Shakespeare with additional lyrics by Eric Svejcar and Michael Unger. With direction by Michael Unger, this musical was created for the 12.14 Foundation’s summer program, New Arts: Newtown Musicals. This organization grew out of a response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, and its long-term goal is to build a performing arts and education centre in Newtown as a memorial to the events of 12/14/12. A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream was composed specifically for these young performers and three Broadway performers, Marla Mindelle (Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Sister Act), Clarke Thorell (Hairspray, 2012 Annie revival), and Saum Eskandani (Disaster!, A Year With Frog and Toad).

This show was double-cast to give more young people an opportunity to get involved. Newtown, CT is home to enough talent to make not only one original cast recording, but two (as a two-disc set) - proof of how vibrant the arts can and should be in our communities. The two-disc set features both Newtown casts, the Stars Cast and the Moon Cast. The CD packaging contains 40 pages of stunning photos and a separate lyric booklet with complete synopsis and introductory essays - as usual with Broadway Records, the production quality and packaging is top notch.

Despite me not been totally in tune with the subject matter, this is a remarkable recording. It shows a great deal of bravery - not only in Unger as director, but also in Van Dean for again releasing what other labels may shy away from, but also for the kids to come up with such a mature piece of theatre. Sure, some of the vocals are not always first rate, but the vast majority is pretty stunning. One only has to listen to such numbers as 'Fairy Lullaby' or 'The Forgeries of Jealousy' to hear what quality sounds like. There’s much comedy abound too - this really is a feat to behold.

I think I’ll leave the final word to Unger: "I selected A Midsummer Night’s Dream because in it, love (and the occasional botanical potion) creates order out of chaos for humans and spirits. This theme of love healing the world would resonate in any town in America and, in fact, any town in the world; but certainly in no place more than Newtown, CT."

9

Ian Gude