A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM OPENS JUNE 13TH!

Staged in Oklahoma Shakespeare's Outdoor Shakespeare Gardens

OKLAHOMA SHAKESPEARE OPENS 40TH SUMMER SEASON WITH "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM" by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

April 17, 2024 (Oklahoma City, OK)—Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park announces "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" as the opener to their 40th anniversary summer season, marking the return of OSP alumnae, Erin Woods, as director. The show opens June 13th and continues through June 30th in the beautiful outdoor Shakespeare Gardens, located in the historic Paseo Arts District, behind their building at 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103.

The production will be the second in a Shakespeare-filled season including Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Hamlet, and the perennial favorite, Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker. Tickets are on sale on the website www.okshakes.org

“This year we honor the artists, technicians, patrons, volunteers, and staff that have sustained us through the years. We are inspired to reach for broader things, to grow and give back to our community, and we are incredibly grateful to be here through these difficult times to keep the legacy of Shakespeare and the classics alive in Oklahoma.”

- Founding Artistic Director, Kathryn McGill

The story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream…

Duke Theseus and Queen Hippolyta prepare for their royal wedding, interrupted by Egeus, who plans to marry his daughter Hermia, to a man she doesn't love, named Demetrius. Lysander, the true object of her affection, challenges the arranged marriage, and plans to steal away with Hermia into the forest of Athens that very night. Helena, in love with Demetrius, hears of this plan, tells Demetrius, and both chase after Lysander and Hermia into the woods.

In the forest, the Queen and King of Fairyland, Titania and Oberon, continue their quarrel over the possession of a certain foundling child, causing disturbances in the forces of nature. Oberon and his trusty right-hand, Puck, plan a devious device to win the argument and re-balance nature, even at the cost of some unruly mischief.

Meanwhile, a group of local tradespeople enter a play competition to celebrate the royal wedding. Their troupe includes Bottom, a good hearted but slightly self-absorbed "actor" who wishes to play all the parts. The rehearsals take place in the forest, and are overheard by Puck, who decides to turn Bottom into a donkey, and make Titania fall in love with him. The ruse works, and soon the lovers, the donkey, and the Queen of the Fairies are all chasing after love deep in the mystical forest of Athens.

In the end, all is set right, the lovers find their correct mates, nature's balance is restored, Bottom is returned to his natural state, and the play is performed before all the couples, newly married, and ready to celebrate their good fortune.

Perhaps Shakespeare's most famous comedy, and one that has delighted audiences for over 400 years, this tale of magical mischief under the stars is certain to delight and amuse the entire family.

Cast

Kayleigh Adams … Starveling/Fairy

Olivia Akers … Helena/Fairy

Karam Alkhatib … Demetrius/Fairy

Thomas Chavira … Bottom

Bellah Crawford … Puck/Philostrate

Alix Golden … Peter Quince/Fairy

Paxton Kliewer … Theseus/Oberon

Denton Meehan … Flute/Fairy

Jimmy Pike … Egeus/Snout

Taylor Reich … Snug/Fairy

Abigail Schmitz … Hermia/Fairy

Lucas Schrantz … Lysander/1st Fairy

Tiffany Tuggle … Hippolyta/Titania

Production Team

Kathryn McGill ... Artistic & Executive Director

Tyler Woods … Executive Producer

Erin Woods … Director

Anwen Wenger ... Costume Design

Robert Rickner ... Scenic Design & Fabrication

Clara Wiebe ... Lighting Design

Henri Bailey ... Scenic Paint/Props Design/Operations Mgr.

Tyler Woods … Fight Choreography

Bell Reeves … Intimacy Coordinator

Lindsey Rollins … Music Director

Scarlett Patiño ... Stage Manager

Brittany Atkins … Asst. Stage Manager

Amy Kercher … Cutter/Draper

Annie Armstrong … Wardrobe

Adam Atkins … Sound Engineer

Sheila Sewell ... House Manager

Alan Chapman … Photography

Erin Woods … Graphic Designer

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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, by William Shakespeare

Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park

Address: 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Theater: Outside under the stars in the beautiful Shakespeare Gardens

When: June 13 - 30, 2024

Time: Thursdays & Sundays at 7:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm

Tickets: www.okshakes.org

Content Guide: This play is family friendly. There are moments of comic mischief, fairy magic, and mild comic violence. The play contains some bawdy Shakespeare humor.