Connecticut Free Shakespeare, Bridgeport Connecicut. A Midsummer's Night Dream

I wanted to acknowledge the Connecticut Free Shakespeare production of a Midsummer's Night Dream. Ellen Lieberman and the entire cast did an amazing job as they have for the past 8 years that I have had the pleasure of attending at Beardsley Park .This year the venue was Mclevy green downtown Bridgeport. The event for the last performance Sunday evening was packed. I thought it was brilliant having it downtown, though I always thought Beardsley park was the perfect place to enjoy a picnic and play. Being a huge supporter of this great city and the current vibrant downtown with new restaurants, I found it extremely curious that the city was negligent in making sure that the thousands attending left with a perfect experience. The play was exceptional, as always. It seemed that the city could have enhanced the experience by closing a few streets for 3 hours so that during the play roughly idling motorcycles did not dominate the mood of the serenity of the play. A local restaurant across the street could have waited an hour to take down tents, as the sound of falling metal columns chimed for 20 minutes and finally a Fairfield restaurant had a food truck with a generator on for the duration of the play. These distractions did not take away from the talent and execution of the performers. These distractions did not have to happen at all. If the City is willing to host such a great cultural experience in our downtown with the hopes of drawing crowds there, It seems that a little effort could go a long way. It was wonderful to see a great crowd Sunday evening downtown as well as I was told by many that Saturday was as well attended. Personally, I always believed that Beardsley Park and Greg Dancho were not only perfect hosts, but the occasional distraction of a peacock was always a welcomed experience. Bringing the play downtown for the week could be a very smart strategic move. However, it would behoove the Mayor to ensure that our guests from other communities want to come to downtown and patronize our restaurants., not a food truck from Fairfield. I still can not figure that one out other than it being a gross insult to the local restaurants. I am sure Coyote Flaco has a friend in high places that doesn't care about local eateries. To the entire cast of A Midsummer's Night Dream. Bravo and thank you for the many years of talent and creativity that Bridgeport needs . Looking forward to next year! Steven L. Auerbach