UVa-Wise Theatre Department to present

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Cast members include: (back row, from left) Tiffany Nwanko, Kris Delaney, Morgan McKinnon, Selinda Stanley, Sarah Holcomb, Jamie Herman and Jessica Dotson. (Middle row, from left) Jonah Adkins, Matt Carter, Kevin Jones, Jesse Lambert and Steven Hensley. (Front row, from left) Teresa Griffin, Jade Bolling, Wendy Adrian and Mary Rose Hanson. Not pictured: Craig Rice, Joel Ernst and Emily Witucki.

A huge toy box spills out onto the stage Oct. 27-29 at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Theatre, where William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be presented.

One of Shakespeare’s most popular works, the tale is a sweet and silly exploration of our childish impulses when we fall in love.

Director Michael McNulty and designer Jonathan Taylor explore this classic tale of love and magic, disharmony and awakening through the lens of child’s play. On a set consisting of a 12-foot-tall rocking horse, a giant rag doll, blocks and puzzle pieces, Puck and his army of fairies cast spells on the toy-like lovers, who fall in and out of love as they wander through the night in an enchanted forest.

The play’s ensemble includes: Craig Rice, Wendy Adrian, Jamie Herman, Mary Rose Hanson, Teresa Griffin, Jonah Adkins, Kris Delaney, Kevin Jones, Jessica Dotson, Morgan McKinnon, Matt Carter, Jesse Lambert, Steven Hensley, Joel Ernst, Sarah Holcomb, Jade Bolling, Selinda Stanley, Emily Wituki and Tiffany Nwankwo.

The UVa-Wise production focuses on the child-like play of the young lovers as they rebel against their elders. They run off into the woods, seeking true love and an escape from responsibility. However, they fall prey to the mischievous Puck and his master, Oberon, king of the fairies, who cloud the lovers’ senses, playing a magical game of hide and seek with their hearts.

Also in the forest are the rude mechanicals, a sincere but inept group of amateur actors preparing a “tragical” presentation for an upcoming royal wedding. They too fall victim to fairy spells, and Puck makes sure that Oberon’s queen mistakenly falls in love with the one who’s suddenly sprouted a donkey’s head.

An 8 p.m. curtain time is set for Friday, Oct. 27 in the Theatre Building. There will be a 2 p.m. performance Saturday at the Ampitheater outside of the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center and an 8 p.m. performance in the Theatre Building. A 2 p.m. show is set for Sunday. Tickets are $5 per person. Students, faculty and staff of UVa-Wise are admitted free with a valid college ID.

For more information or reservations, please call the UVa-Wise Theatre Department at (276) 328-0226.

Posted October 10, 2006