Wicker Park actor rolls up his sleeves, slips on a donkey's head for iconic Shakespearean role

Wicker Park actor Michael Houghton Wagman loves that his neighborhood is developing into its own theater district in a city filled with storefronts and stages.

The proximity to the Den, Chopin and Trap Door theaters, not to mention the Flat Iron Arts Building, has made Wicker Park an actor’s ideal workplace.

But Wagman’s latest project – taking on the iconic role of Bottom in William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with Strangeloop Theatre – has taken him a little further afield, up to a small performance space in Rogers Park. The trek north for the actor has been worth it, however, to take on a role that is known for its heavy comedy, but also much subtler shades of introspection, passion and joy.

In “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – which primarily focuses on the love affair between two mortal couples and one fairy couple – Bottom, a weaver by trade, is part of the side story that follows a group of working-class people trying to pull together a play to be performed before the Duke on his wedding day. The character is most famous, however, for having his head transformed into a donkey’s nole and being inadvertently swept up in the drama of the fairy world.

“Bottom is a working class person who aspires to something more,” Wagman said. “His lifelong pursuit of theatrical fame could be seen as both tragic and comic, but also glorious. What better way to live than to devote your life to something you feel so passionately about? The tragedy, comedy and sheer joy of Bottom's ambition are what I like best about him.”

Wagman’s biggest challenge with the role, however, has been not to fall into self-indulgence and, as the actor, not becoming too much like the character he’s portraying.

“I think it's safe to say that I have more than a fair amount of Bottom in me,” he said. “As Bottom, I've had to be careful when making acting choices to ensure I am making them because they are appropriate to the scene and the character, not because they'll show off how funny or dramatic I can be. Finding that line between having the freedom to confidently explore the character and being self-indulgent has been my greatest challenge.”

Up next for the actor, writer and director is an adaptation of “The Odyssey,” which he is working on with fellow Strangeloop company member Carrie Campana.

In the meantime, he can be seen on stage in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through May 25 at The Side Project in Rogers Park (1439 W Jarvis Ave, Chicago – just steps from the Jarvis red line stop). More information and tickets are available at www.strangelooptheatre.org.