I will begin this review with an admission that I don’t know much about Shakespeare. Like most people who went to a public school in the U.S., I remember we had to read a few of Shakespeare’s classics in English class and I remember watching the Baz Luhrmann-directed “Romeo & Juliet” with Leonardo DiCaprio in the ’90s but I haven’t paid too much attention to the literary icon since then. Sorry Orlando Shakes.
However, I knew if anyone would be able to explain Shakespeare to me it would be local legend and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Ginger Minj, who stars in the Orlando Fringe show “Arden.” The show takes characters from three of Shakespeare’s plays — “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “As You Like It” and “Macbeth” — and blends them up in a story set to remixed music from the ’70s and ’80s. Think Shakespeare meets “Moulin Rogue,” if Shakespeare was a drag queen.
Minj stars as Titania who is the Queen of the Fairies from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” She is joined by Oberon, King of the Fairies (played by Adam McCabe), and a rainbow of fairy dancers who all live in the Forest of Arden. The fairy’s forest becomes the setting for the story of Rosalind and Orlando, the lovers from “As You Like It” ( I just realized this is who Josie and Sam in “Never Been Kissed” dressed up as), as well as several subplots involving “As You Like It’s” Touchstone, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream’s” Bottom (that’s his name), the Three Witches from “Macbeth” and more. The tale is narrated to the audience by Puck, the “mischievous sprite with magical powers” from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” played masterfully by Cesar De La Rosa.
While watching, I wasn’t sure what was actually taken from Shakespeare and what was a joked placed in for the show — obviously the Bottom jokes write themselves as do the donkey jokes — but my lack of Shakespearean knowledge did not make it difficult for me to follow along with the story. While I’m sure Shakespeare buffs will recognize a few Easter eggs that those like me couldn’t catch, I was still able to enjoy the show.
“Arden,” which is directed by Tyler Scott, knows exactly what you are here to see and it dials it up to an 11. The fairy costumes are loud and colorful and the dance numbers are great. The music selection hits your ’70s and ’80s divas — Madonna, Whitney, Elton. The entire cast, led by the always amazing Minj, is fun to watch and over-the-top hysterical. De La Rosa as Puck brings the right amount of sass, shade and musical chops, and was a stand out for me in a show filled with talent.
“Arden” plays in the Silver Venue through May 30. For more information visit OrlandoFringe.org.
