Yes, the title is supposed to evoke utterly sinful images of Tijuana. And yes, there is one scene with a woman wearing thigh-high black leather boots, iridescent booty shorts and nothing else but two large pink butterflies on top mimes that unspeakable act with two guys in a donkey suit. But, as proof of Shakespeare’s timelessness and adaptability (to say the least), the American Repertory Theater‘s The Donkey Show is actually a Studio 54-esque version of the classic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream – one that takes place in, around, and above an audience-filled dance floor. Miss Butterfly-Bra is Titania, the Bard’s noble queen of the sprites, infatuated with a donkey because of a mysterious love potion – which A.R.T. has updated to something that looks mysteriously white and powdery.
The 70’s music-driven show, which premiered in Boston in September 2009 under the direction of A.R.T. artistic director Diane Paulus, was so popular during its first year that it is now on every Saturday night at 8:00 and 10:30 at Club Oberon (on Arrow Street just a five minute walk from the Harvard Square T stop).
In an untraditional show, A.R.T.’s actors bring commitment and finesse to the chaos. The whole thing would come off as cheesy in the hands of less able actors, but it works here as long as the audience members go in open-minded. Star-crossed lovers singing “Enough is Enough,” glitter-covered male sprites pulling audience members up onto movable platforms, and the trouble-making sprite Puck gliding around on roller skates all make for quite an alternative Saturday night. It’s bizarre and over-the-top, yet completely exhilarating.
Audience members can pay for a table with dinner (running the risk that an actor or two will use it as a stage at some point), or just boogie all night on the dance floor. 18+ theater where you get just as sweaty as the actors – and have the option of frequenting the bar – is something even the most theater-averse can get on board with. That is, as long as you’re not allergic to polyester.
