One word. Brilliant.

Entering the Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, one was not quite sure what to expect.

At the entrance, people robed in white, representing the back-to-Africa movement pounded incessantly on African drums while reenacting what seemed like a traditional African ceremony.

On the other side of the park, the stage was set for the witty, fantasy-like Essential Shakespeare - Dream A Little Dream.

Love, betrayal, magic, and friendship. All are themes that run through this family-friendly work put on by the Tisch School of the Arts, NYU Continuum Company.

"I like the fact that I could bring my son to watch the play with me," said Ashley of Harlem, who was also impressed with the diversity of the cast.

The story of love between Hermia, played by Black actress Amirah Vann, and Lisander played by Indian actor Bhavesh Patel, and their quest to be bonded to one another despite Hermia's father's wishes, resonated with audiences not only because it was a clever adaptation of Midsummer Night's Dream, but because of how purely and sweetly the interracial romances played out on stage.

"Because the cast consisted of different ethnic groups, it made it more relatable," said Ashley.

Here's a brief sequence of events:

Hermia's father hand-selects Demetrius played by Black actor Edi Gathegi, whom he deemed fit to marry his child because of his proper breeding.

In complete opposition, Hermia spurns Demetrius and conspires with Lisander to runaway to a faraway land in Athens where she and Lisander could live together forever without interference.

Meanwhile, Hermia's best friend, Helena played by White actress Danielle Skraastad, is in love with Demetrius, who does not even acknowledge her existence.

Then, the twist.

As if out of a Disney animated feature or an Enid Blyton storybook, a spell is erroneously cast on Lisander while he and Hermia are resting in the forest en route to the land in Athens.

This whimsical, modern-day interpretation sets Shakespearean prose ablaze as Lisander wakes up and elegantly professes his love for Helena.

Demetrius, hoping to stop the young lovers, is also being pursued by Helena who shamelessly declares her love for him. He rejects Helena harshly, which does not deter the love-stoned maiden.

Now, a spell is erroneously cast on Demetrius by the fairies clad in leather jackets, jeans and Rayban glasses while he is sleeping in the forest.

He also wakes up in love with Helena whom he earlier vehemently rejected.

In an interesting turn of events, Helena becomes the object of love and adoration of both Lisander and Demetrius.

This confuses Helena and she thinks Hermia put the two men up to mock her. At this point, they are ready to fight to the death for their lady love.

Undoubtedly, this causes a huge rift between the two friends and they set out to fight.

The play comes to a wondrous climax when the spells are finally broken; Lisander returns to Hermia and Demetrius realizes that he is actually in love Helena.

With pinches of 21^st century musical humor like Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On and cultural allusions like an entire Bollywood number, Dream A Little Dream offered the park's audience an opportunity to engage easily with a several century-old work.