A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Branson Regional Arts Council presents William Shakespeare’s classic play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as adapted for the stage by Josh Boulden.
Four public performances are scheduled at the Historic Owen Theatre on Thursday, September 7, 2023 (7pm), Sunday, September 10, 2023 (2pm), Thursday, September 14, 2023 (7pm), and Sunday, September 17, 2023 (2pm).
Advance Reserved Tickets are recommended and available online at BransonArts.org/tix or by calling the Historic Owen Theatre Box Office at 417-336-4255. $20 Adults (18+), $12 Youth (4-17).
Attention Area Schools: A special matinee performance is being planned for Monday, September 11th at 11:00am for area public, private and home schools to attend. This will include an educational aspect where the students will have an opportunity to learn more about Shakespeare and this production. Interested teachers or education leaders should contact BRAC for further information at edu@bransonarts.org or 417-336-4255.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a comedy written by William Shakespeare in about 1595 or 1596. The BRAC production, as adapted by Josh Boulden, is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One subplot involves a conflict among four Athenian lovers. Another follows a group of six amateur actors rehearsing the play which they are to perform before the wedding. Both groups find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate the humans and are engaged in their own domestic intrigue. The play is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and is widely performed.
The production is under the direction of Josh Boulden, and cast members include: Megan King (Hermia), Jon Michael Thompson (Lysander), Josie Holman (Helena), Seth Coker (Demetrius), Cody Croxford (Oberon/Theseus), Olyvia Shaw (Titania/Hippolyta), Sara Boehm (Robin Goodfellow/Philostrate), Mariah K. Garrett (Nick Bottom), Jackie Zliczewski (Peter Quince), Brandon Farrar (Francis Flute/Egeus), Natalie Hensarling (Tom Snout), Kahrie Stegman (Snug), and CJ McElhiney (Robin Starveling).
“This specific adaptation will tell the classic story of crossed lovers, magical fairies, and fantastical transformation we’ve grown to love. But this version will bring the play to life utilizing the powers of not only the text, but of music, movement, and mask. I wanted to tell this story with minimal costumes, props, and sets to bring greater attention to the actors themselves as they double roles, play instruments, and translate the story through movement. It is the desire of the cast and crew for the audience to understand the poetic text Shakespeare penned so long ago. Combining a tribute to classical traveling theatre with modern theatrical devices every element of this production has been designed to whimsically take the audience on a journey of magical romance and comical mayhem.” – Josh Boulden – Director
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