The Atlanta Shakespeare Company Presents A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse

Two pairs of lovers (one requited, other...it's complicated and a rag-tag group of thespians find themselves lost in the woods right as the fairy kingdom is turned on its head by its quarreling leaders. Nature will never be the same! Lord what fools these mortals be.

Join the cast and crew members for a lively Question and Answer session on Sunday July 28 after the show!

A Midsummer Night's Dream
Directed by Kati Grace Brown
Assistant Director Charlie Thomas
Stage Manager Charlie Thomas
Costume Design and Construction Anné Carole Butler
Fight Choreographer Mary Ruth Ralston
Fight Captain Ryan Vo
Dance Choreographer Cameryn Richardson
Light Designer Mary Ruth Ralston
Music Composer and Arranger Bo Gaison
Music Director Kati Grace Brown

Dramatis Personae

Theseus, Duke of Athens Sean Kelley

Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons Sarah Newby Halicks

Egeus, father of Hermia Kenneth Wigley

Hermia, daughter of Egeus Kirsten Chervenak

Helena, in love with Demetrius Destiny Renee

Lysander Jake West

Demetrius Glenn Lorandeau

Oberon, King of the Fairies Sean Kelley

Titania, Queen of the Fairies Sarah Newby Halicks

Puck, or Robin Goodfellow Ryan Vo

Peaseblossom, fairy attendant to Titania Alexandra Pica

Cobweb, fairy attendant on Titania Cameryn Richardson

Moth, attendant on Titania O'Neil Delapenha

Mustardseed, fairy attendant on Titania Kirstin Calvert

Quince, a carpenter Kenneth Wigley

Snug, a joiner Alexandra Pica

Bottom, a weaver David Sterritt

Flute, a bellows-mender O'Neil Delapenha

Snout, a tinker Kirstin Calvert
Starveling, a tailor Cameryn Richardson

Philostrate Ryan Vo

Fairies: Glenn Lorandeau, Kirsten Chervenak, Jake West, David Sterrit, Destiny Renee

Helena Understudy Kati Grace Brown

Snout, Mustardseed Understudy Emily Russ

While Theseus, Duke of Athens, and the Amazon Queen Hippolyta, who he has defeated in battle, are contemplating their marriage, Theseus has to judge a matrimonial dispute. Egeus wishes his daughter Hermia to wed Demetrius when her heart is set upon Lysander. Though warned of the consequences if she disobeys, Hermia resolves to elope and on the next night to meet Lysander in a wood close to Athens. They tell Helena who is herself in love with Demetrius and who promptly reveals the plan to him.

In the wood the goblin Puck and one of the Fairy Queen's train talk of the quarrel between Oberon and Titania over the changeling boy she has adopted and he desires for a henchman. She refuses to yield, whereupon Oberon orders Puck to fetch a flower whose juice, squeezed on Titania's sleeping eyelids, will cause her on awakening to love the first live creature that she sees. Helena has followed Demetrius to the wood; Oberon, invisible and sympathetic, orders Puck to squeeze the flower on the lids of the "Athenian youth", while he himself anoints Titania. But Puck, mistaking, chooses Lysander, who when he wakes immediately pursues Helena.

Puck mischievously gives an ass's head to Bottom, the weaver, one of the group of "mechanicals" rehearsing a play for the wedding of Theseus. Titania, waking falls in love with Bottom. Presently confusion is worse than ever because Demetrius (who has now been anointed) and Lysander fight over Helena, to Hermia's distress. The only thing to do is to get the lovers to sleep and to restore Lysander's sight before he wakes.

Oberon releases Titania; Puck removes the ass's head, and one quarrel is settled as Fairy King and Queen leave before dawn. Theseus and Hippolyta, hunting early, rouse the lovers who, back as they were, are assured by Theseus that they shall be wedded that day. Bottom, baffled by his apparent dream, goes off to find his fellows.

They perform, in all sincerity, their interlude of Pyramus and Thisby before the amused court audience. Midnight sounds. When all have retired the fairies return to give their blessing to house and lovers, and Puck says the final word.

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