"To be or Not to Be" was answered with a resounding "Yes" by the Camp Humphrey's Community theatre as two Shakespearean performances took to the stage here, July 15-21. Both plays were directed by Christi Mancha, a local theater volunteer. The first performance, "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream", was presented by the youth ages 7-16, "The Complete Works of Shakespeare" rounded out the second stage performance of the week.
Held at the Community Activity Center, the events drew crowds who were thoroughly entertained.
"I loved it," stated Sgt. Patrick Poe, a Soldier assigned to U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys. "I thought it was awesome, very creative, a play within a play," said Poe in describing "The Complete Works of Shakespeare".
For the performance of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare," actors Michael Capps, Peter Adams, Arthur Estrada, and Adam Smith, had the challenge of combining all of Shakespeare's plays, within a single play. Of course that sounds daunting, but according to audience members, their abbreviated performances were done exceedingly well and kept the crowds laughing from beginning to end.
"This is the second time we've watched the show," said Julianne Heskett. "We came last night, but it was so good, we came again." The audience was also part of the show as the actors actively involved audience members in the form of fun-filled audience participation. "I absolutely enjoyed it," said Staff Sgt. Jose Mancha. "I laughed pretty much the entire show." With that said, the children's rendition of "A Mid Summer Nights Dream" was also well received.
"Oh, I loved it," stated 1st Lt. Aaron Isom. "I love watching this stuff and it's great for the kids to be involved." According to the play's director, there were about 20 children who participated in the play. "I think it's an amazing place for children to experience the arts and be a part of something that is bigger than themselves," said Sara Isom, the show's music director. Taylor Cowan, 13, who played Lysander in "A Mid-Summer Night's Dream," may have summed it up best when he said, "it was an experience of a lifetime."
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