Midsummer for Haters is showing June 3-18, 2022! In this collaboration with Nemesis Theatre Company, Shakespeare’s beloved classic gets a new treatment by the people who can’t stand it, resulting in a kidnapped Amazon, mystified mortals, sadistic fairies, and mechanicals gone wild! Will any of them survive four nights in the magic forest?
We reached out to actor Paul Vonasek to find out more about him and his experience working on this unique production!
What do you hate about Midsummer?
The season.
What do you love about Shakespeare?
The passion and the poetry.
Do you relate to your character or to any character in the show? How similar / different are you?
I relate to Bottom’s need for attention and his scratchy beard. I relate to Lysander’s love of rhyming.
What's your favorite line in the show?
“Of all the midsummers, and all the dreams, you had to walk into mine.”
How did you get into theatre?
With a need for approval.
How is working with The Magnetic different from working with other theatres?
The collaboration and commitment to fostering community is real and uplifting.
Have you done any research or read any books / listened to any interesting podcasts related to the play's subject matter that you'd recommend?
There is an old series from the 80’s, Playing Shakespeare by John Barton. It’s loaded with Royal Shakespeare Company legends (Dench, McKellen, Stewart, Kingsley), and they display the various ways to play the text. I love it. https://youtu.be/D2VnxiW3oqk
Do you have any upcoming projects that we should check out?
No. But if you hear anything let me know. I’m generally free on weekends.
How is working with Nemesis different from working with other theatre companies?
As I dip my toes and knees into the Pool of Pentameter, I know I have much to learn and could easily get in my head. But Melon has been an incredible teacher, and I feel more confident in this world than ever. (He says, holding his yet-to-be-memorized script in his hand).
Tell us about the experience of playing two different parts in two different Midsummers simultaneously.
It’s a gift. To be able to see this play from so many different angles. And seeing your scene partners in different lights. It’s so much fun.
How do you feel about not knowing which version of the show you're doing until Egeus says his first line?
It’s thrilling. But also disappointing because I had hours of prosthetics planned for each character. But it’s fine. It’s fine.
Biography
Having spent most of the past decade doing long-form improv, Paul is excited to be back in the realm of scripted work. Having escaped Los Angeles during the pandemic, Paul and his brilliant wife Laurie are finding it hard to leave Asheville. Thanks to this incredible cast and Melon for providing such a safe space to explore and play.
Midsummer for Haters is showing June 3-18, 2022 at The Magnetic Theatre in Asheville, NC. Grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=134503