Jacob Thompson (Demetrius), Tony Amante (Lysander) and Camille Pivetta (Helena) in Synetic Theater’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Olney Theatre Center.
Photo by Sarah Straub.
What is Shakespeare without words? While you might think the notion absurd, that poetry is impossible without words, the Synetic Theater company has repeatedly shown audiences that pure movement, acting without words, is as eloquent and moving as the Bard’s text. If you think, “oh, I’ve seen ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ many times,” I say you have never seen it more spectacularly enchanting than Synetic’s production at the Olney Theatre Center (OTC. It mesmerizes, enthralls, and entertains in a way you may never have experienced.
spectacularly enchanting…mesmerizes, enthralls, and entertains.
Directed by Synetic co-founder and Artistic Director, Paata Tsikurishvili, and adapted by Ben Cunis and Paata Tsikurishvili, the production originally premiered in 2009 in Synetic’s former Arlington home and received nine Helen Hayes Award nominations, winning Outstanding Resident Play and Outstanding Ensemble. The current production at OTC feels fresh and remains exciting with an excellent cast and stunning production elements. The Roberts Mainstage provides ample room for the fluid and ethereal choreography of Synetic Co-founder Irina Tsikurishvili.
At the opening performance, OTC Artistic Director Jason Loewith gave thoughtful introductory remarks about his longtime admiration for the work of Synetic Theatre. Founded in 2001 by the Tsikurishvilis and several company members—all immigrants from the Republic of Georgia—Synetic has become one of the most critically-lauded companies in the region. Their movement-based performance combines dance, acrobatics, pantomime, and music for a unique theatrical experience. Resident Composer Konstantine Lortkipanidze has created a beautiful score throughout. As Starvling, one of the Players, his keyboard expertise, along with Aaron Kan on guitar and Lev Belolipetski on strings, help lift the performers’ actions beyond the need for spoken language.
While it certainly helps to know the plot of Shakespeare’s play, focusing too much on the expected sequence of the story may distract from the events on stage. The original five acts are condensed into under two hours, but a helpful and highly recommended synopsis is provided in the program. Give it a quick read before the action begins on a darkened stage quickly brought to life with a storm of fireflies. As the tiny lights dance about, a birchwood forest slowly appears behind them. Titania (Rachael Small) and Oberon (Philip Fletcher), queen and king of the fairies, appear in exquisite costumes suggesting Balinese gods. The colorful costumes are designed by Anastasia Rurikov Simes.
The performers of the Synetic Theater company, many of them trained by the Tsikurishvilis, are a well-knit ensemble. Given such an athletic and inventive cast, stand-out performances abound. Every performer engages and delights in their own way. As one audience member put it, “you can’t take your eyes off of some performers.” Camille Pivetta is charming and bawdily humorous as Helena. Stella Bunch shows off her contortionist skills as the mischievous Puck. Vato Tsikurishvili as Quince and veteran company member Irakli Kavsadze as Bottom lead the Players in an extended and hilarious production of “Pyramus and Thisbe” for the court of Theseus (Chris Galindo). Small’s Titania is at once elegant, sexy, and funny. The most enduring image created by Andrew F. Griffin’s evocative lighting may be that of Puck lazily looking down from their perch in the crescent moon. You can almost hear them sighing, “What fools these mortals be!”
Running Time: One hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.
Advisory: Parental guidance is advised for young children.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs through August 10, 2025, presented by Synetic Theater at Roberts Mainstage, Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road Olney, MD 20832. Wednesday–Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 pm and Wednesday, July 23 at 1:30 pm. There is an Accessible Audio-Described Performance on Wednesday, July 23 at 7:30 pm. Audience members who wish to use these services should contact Weldon Brown, Director of Sales and Audience Experience (wbrown@olneytheatre.org) to confirm. Tickets are available from $41–$101. Discounts are available for groups, seniors, military, and students. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 301-924-3400 or go online.
