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Hi,

Not trying to be unhelpful but if you find it so troublesome, why did you choose it?   Judging a 400 year old piece of Elizabethan drama by 2018 standards is bound to end in problems.   Don't forget these roles weren't even performed by women.

The way I see it, you have a couple of options:

A). Explore your intent for the choice:  Is your mandate to challenge, entertain, provoke thought, or simply to explore Elizabethan drama in general and Shakespeare's use of language in particular?
B). Use the performance as a springboard to further learning.  Do a talkback with the audience about how and why the viewpoints and behavior in the play represent the understanding of most of the people of the time and how and why most people see things differently today.
C). Choose a different play, or an abridged version that is more palatable to you.

In an another note - see if you can find a copy of the hard to come by 2016 Shakespeare's Globe version directed by Emma Rice which is a remarkably modern take on the play.   It was broadcast on BBC but I'm not sure if there is a DVD or streaming version of it.

I think you either have to find a way to see and present these characters in their best light: D is trying his best to win the hand of the woman he truly loves - that Helena thing was just a phase, THIS is the one! H is so strong and in love she will throw all societal constraints, fear, and possibly safety aside to get what she wants - D. This is why they are actually good together, they are fellow rebels who follow their hearts wherever they lead with total abandon!

OR, pick another show. I love Mid, but if you try to turn it into a morality tale it will be miserable, for the actors, for the audience, and for you. If you wrestle with Shakespeare, he will win every time. It really is a matter of how you can see and present the characters. My worry is what you said "I refuse to let it pass as comedic behavior in front of our audience of K-8 graders, let alone the friends and families of my performers." I promise you, if you try to turn it into a modern social commentary, it will kill the entire play and not end up teaching anyone anything. I was once in a production of Twelfth Night where the director really focused in all the tragedy viola had faced - and it was the worst play I have ever been in.

Sometimes, we as directors can't do a work because our view is so different (in my case it is My Fair Lady, which to me, is a musical glorying an abusive relationship - thus I can never direct it). This may be that show for you. 

Hi,

Not trying to be unhelpful but if you find it so troublesome, why did you choose it?   Judging a 400 year old piece of Elizabethan drama by 2018 standards is bound to end in problems.   Don't forget these roles weren't even performed by women.

The way I see it, you have a couple of options:

A). Explore your intent for the choice:  Is your mandate to challenge, entertain, provoke thought, or simply to explore Elizabethan drama in general and Shakespeare's use of language in particular?
B). Use the performance as a springboard to further learning.  Do a talkback with the audience about how and why the viewpoints and behavior in the play represent the understanding of most of the people of the time and how and why most people see things differently today.
C). Choose a different play, or an abridged version that is more palatable to you.

In an another note - see if you can find a copy of the hard to come by 2016 Shakespeare's Globe version directed by Emma Rice which is a remarkably modern take on the play.   It was broadcast on BBC but I'm not sure if there is a DVD or streaming version of it.

Hi,

Not trying to be unhelpful but if you find it so troublesome, why did you choose it?   Judging a 400 year old piece of Elizabethan drama by 2018 standards is bound to end in problems.   Don't forget these roles weren't even performed by women.

The way I see it, you have a couple of options:

A). Explore your intent for the choice:  Is your mandate to challenge, entertain, provoke thought, or simply to explore Elizabethan drama in general and Shakespeare's use of language in particular?
B). Use the performance as a springboard to further learning.  Do a talkback with the audience about how and why the viewpoints and behavior in the play represent the understanding of most of the people of the time and how and why most people see things differently today.
C). Choose a different play, or an abridged version that is more palatable to you.

In an another note - see if you can find a copy of the hard to come by 2016 Shakespeare's Globe version directed by Emma Rice which is a remarkably modern take on the play.   It was broadcast on BBC but I'm not sure if there is a DVD or streaming version of it.