Stage North Theatre Company celebrates 400 years of William Shakespeare with its upcoming production of his most popular comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
The story will be performed at 7:30 p.m. April 21-23 and there will be a 2 p.m. matinee April 23 at the Franklin Arts Center auditorium in Brainerd.
Shakespeare's celebrated birthday is April 23, 1564. Most of his 38 plays were produced in London at the now famous Globe Theater between 1589 and 1613. He died on April 23, 1616.
His most popular comedy, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" tells a story of magic potions, mistaken identity and love at first sight. In just one night, four magical stories are woven together: the marriage of the Athenian duke (Theseus) to the Amazon queen (Hippolyta); a battle between the king (Oberon) and queen (Titania) of the fairies; the follies of the four lovers in the forest; and the hilarious antics of amateur actors trying to stage a play.
The cast of 44 includes Kevin Yeager as Oberon, Jocelyn Tanner as Titania, Mark Oehrlein as Demetrius, Holly Brandt as Helena, Ryan Stout as Lysander; Rachel Kline as Hermia and Elaina Tanner as Puck. Other members include M. Hollis Ford and Jenn Abramson as the Duke and Duchess of Athens, Barb McColgan as Egeus and Tadina Ikola as Philostrate. The amateur actors or "Rude Mechanicals" are played by Mark Liedl, Nolan Reynolds, Joel Martin, Sam Johnson and Deb Binda.
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The Punk Fairies are played by Breanna Rhodes, Calli McNamera, Lori Schweitzberger, Sheridan Wilson, Kim Heuther, Sarah Ciesluk and Stormey Prieskop. Other fairies include Gabriella Amick, Camber Tanner, Abbigale Abramson, Ally Howard, Autumn Paulus, Ava Aanes, Bianca Purdy, Brooke Abramson, Ellie Mills, Isabella Engholm, Gwenivere Engholm, Isabelle Smith, Olivia Ostrowski, Parker Freeman, Peyton Freeman, Ruby Amick, Samina Crabtree and Taisha Linder.
The production is under the direction of Gary Hirsch. Choreography is by Wendy DeGeest; costuming, Jessica Horman; stage manager, Kim Utesch; Box Office manager, Jenn Abramson; props are supervised by Mark Ford; and technical direction by Jared Foss.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $5 for children under 12. Purchase advance tickets online at www.stagenorththeater.com or call the Stage North ticket line at 218-232-6810.
