The 32nd annual Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) took Shakespeare’s classic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” on its inaugural “Play On!” Community Tour to more than one dozen Lehigh Valley locations.

The free outdoor performances began June 2 at the downtown Allentown ArtsWalk Pocket Park and included Easton Farmer’s Market Scott Park, Bethlehem’s National Museum of Industrial History, Bucks County Courthouse Lawn, and Bethlehem’s Moravian Village, among other venues.

There’s a free performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” during PSF’s first “Community Day,” 3 p.m. July 1, Outdoor Trexler Library Stage, DeSales University, Center Valley. “Community Day,” 10 a.m. - 10:30 p.m., will celebrate the arts and many local organizations that provide services to the community.

The June 15 PSF performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Hills at Lockridge Park, Lower Macungie Township, was seen for this review.

The PSF performance was absolutely superb. From the cast and costumes to the amphitheater-style park venue on a beautiful summer-like evening, not only was the setting inspirational, but the entire performance amazing.

The play was presented in the original Shakespearean English. The spoken English language has significantly transformed since the late 16th century. Nonetheless, the cast did a splendid job enhancing their verbal discourse with commensurate actions to ensure even young children understood each scene.

Train whistles from the local railroad line could be heard periodically. The audience didn’t seem to mind and, in fact, listened even more intently to the dialogue.

The costumes were simple yet very well-done, especially the transition from mortal to donkey. Although music was not an integral component of the production, instruments such as wind chimes and the violin provided that additional “something” to place actions and dialogue in context.

The actors went above and beyond to ensure the audience was entertained, not only by what transpired on stage, but cleverly engaging the audience as well.

If audience laughter is any indication of a successful performance, the actors, crew and others involved in the PSF “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” production received the highest accolades.

“Community Day” information: https://pashakespeare.org