SPRINGFIELD – “Midsummer, A Musical” is a breezy take on Shakespeare that is modeled after a ’90s mixtape. Love, song, and fun, with a touch of magic. It’s the first full-length musical I ever wrote,” said director Scott Frazier-Maskiell.
This original musical by Frazier-Maskiell features him singing and playing guitar, with his wife, Erin, on the fiddle. If you’ve seen plays at Pegasus Playhouse at 402 Main St., you know the director’s choice of comedic musicals and the cast’s fantastic acting.
This play is no exception.
The witty lines and incredible performances shine through. Puck, played by Melinda Meyer, exudes impishness. Alex Carr hilariously embodies the “ass.” Lexy Menjivar-Grueskin and Alycia Culcane sing like angels. Oberon, played by Christopher Ridgely, and Titania, played by Zoe Banuelos, complete the cast with their captivating performances.
“As a first time performer at Pegasus Playhouse I’m really enjoying the sense of community,” said Culnane, who plays Ella. “Sometimes it is hard to find that within other theaters in town, where everyone is supported and lifted up and just there to create and make special art. With that being said, I really see those aspects come in to play with this musical specifically, and I think that people will see how special and fun it truly is.”
This largely has to do with Frazier-Maskiell’s collaborative style.
“A lot of the times when we are in rehearsals, everyone talks about our opinions about the play, and it helps us connect,” said Levi Stewart, who plays Zander. Stewart met Frazier-Maskiell through Rose Children’s Theatre in Eugene and followed him to Pegasus Playhouse.
“This is the last show I am doing with Pegasus Playhouse and Scott. This is my last hurrah. It has been a fun experience, and everyone has been able to connect so well,” said Stewart.
What began as a hobby has become a passion for Stewart, who takes theater classes at LCC and plans to transfer to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen.
Stewart believes people will love this play for its music and performances.
“The music is a lot of folky pop love songs in the style of the ‘80s and ‘90s. The music is catchy and fun to sing,” Stewart said.
Theresa Bergman, of Eugene, came to see her daughter, Kalyx Bergman, in the play on opening night.
“I am enjoying the two young leads. They have great voices, all of them…It [the play] is a different style,” Theresa Bergman said.
As grants like the National Endowment for the Arts are terminated by the government, and the competition for smaller grants intensifies, small non-profit theaters and art organizations largely rely on public support to continue providing an environment where people can express their creativity.
The play runs until Aug. 24 with performances on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. Be sure to check out other upcoming plays at Pegasus Playhouse, such as “Sunday in the Park” with George in September and “Cabaret” in November.
Sarina Dorie is the arts writer for The Chronicle.
