MONMOUTH — William Shakespeare’s magical comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opens at Theater at Monmouth at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 23. One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” follows the journey of four young lovers as they find their way through the forest and to each other. But, as Lysander says “the course of true love never did run smooth.” Full of madcap chases and mistaken identities, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” an exploration of the mystery and madness of love.
Magic and laughter are on the loose in the woods outside Athens in Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy. The fairy king and queen are at war, court and commoners alike prepare for Theseus and Hippolyta’s nuptials, and Puck stirs the pot leading two pairs of lovers on a wild and wacky chase in search of true romance.
Director Janis Stevens focuses this production on two of the play’s most powerful themes—translation and transformation. “My first instinct was that I wanted to take the play back to “itself”—to leave it alone and let the beauty and magic of the text glimmer in its own light,” Stevens said.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” features Josh Carpenter as Theseus/ Oberon; Nisi Sturgis as Hippolyta/ Titania; Andy Blaustein as Philostrate/ Robin Goodfellow (Puck); Jordan Coughtry as Starveling/ Moon; Erica Murphy as Hermia; Leighton Samuels as Lysander; Michael Dix Thomas as Demetrius; Olivia Williamson as Helena; Mark S. Cartier as Peter Quince; Marlowe Holden as Mustardseed/ Lion; Bill Van Horn as Bottom/ Pyramus; Alan Estes as Peaseblossom/ Thisbe; John Logan as Snout/ Cobweb/ Wall; Anna Doyle as First Fairy/ Mote, and Isabella Coulombe as Fairy. Set design by Jim Alexander, costumes by Elizabeth Rocha, lights by Stephen Jones, and sound by Rew Tippin.
Performance Calendar: Preview July 23, at 7:30 p.m.; Opening, July 24. additional performance dates Aug. 1, 5, 13, 15, 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 6, 19, 23 at 1:00 p.m.; Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. with post-show talk-back. Ticket prices range from $10-$30, opening nights are educator nights. Educators receive 20 percent off with photo ID; $10 under-30 rush tickets are available for every performance. Discounts available for groups of 10 or more. For calendar and reservations, please contact the TAM Box Office at 207.933.9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.
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