Midsommer Flight Stages MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Now thru 8/24

Midsommer Flight announces its third summer season of Shakespeare in the Park with the delightful comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare and directed by Midsommer Flight's Founder and Producing Artistic Director Beth Wolf. Dedicated to presenting outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, Midsommer Flight is a proud arts partner with the Chicago Park District. Much Ado About Nothing runs today, July 19 through August 24, Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

The July 19 - 20 and 26 - 27 performances are at Schreiber Park, 1552 W. Schreiber Avenue, in the field at the corner of Bosworth Avenue and Schreiber Avenue. August 2 - 3 and 9 - 10 performances are at Gross Park, 2708 W. Lawrence Avenue, at the north end of the park along Gunnison Street. The August 16 - 17 and 23 - 24 performances are at Touhy Park, 7348 N. Paulina Street, in the southeast grove along Paulina Street. All performances will be presented free of charge (donations gratefully accepted). In addition, live music will be presented prior to each performance. Audiences are encouraged to come early and bring a picnic to enjoy this free programming. For more information go to www.midsommerflight.com.

Midsommer Flight's Much Ado About Nothing features a cast of 20 and tells a tale of love winning out despite any obstacles. One of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, Much Ado takes the audience to an Italian villa, where two pairs of lovers, Beatrice and Benedick, and Claudio and Hero, navigate through deceptions ranging from sinister to hilarious on their journey toward happily ever after.

In addition to the main production, Midsommer Flight will present live music 30 minutes prior to each performance. Music programming varies with each venue, with specific performers being announced at a later date.

The play is directed by Midsommer Flight's Producing Artistic Director, Beth Wolf. The production team includes Dylan S. Roberts (Assistant Director), Beth Laske-Miller (Costume Designer), and David Yondorf (Violence Designer). The ensemble cast features Martel Manning (Benedick), Ashlee Edgemon (Beatrice), Adam Habben (Claudio), Vivian Knouse (Hero), Scott Olson (Leonato), Chris Smith (Don Pedro), Kanome Jones (Ursula), Jared Dennis (Dogberry), and supporting cast members Travis Cook, Meredith Ernst, Liam Fitzgerald, Glenn Garrabrant, Meg Harkins, Christina Renee Jones, Jason Markoff, J. Preddie Predmore, Elizabeth Rentro, Frank Sawa, and Sheila Willis.

Midsommer Flight is a Chicago theatre collective dedicated to producing outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays. After the company's well-received inaugural production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2012, the Chicago City Council honored Midsommer Flight with a resolution praising "the Midsommer Flight theater troupe on their dedication to bringing the arts to underserved communities." The company incorporated as a not-for-profit in the state of Illinois in early 2013, and produced its second production,Romeo and Juliet, in July and August 2013.

All performances will be presented free of charge (donations gratefully accepted). In addition, live music will be presented prior to each performance. Audiences are encouraged to come early and bring a picnic to enjoy this free programming. For more information go to www.midsommerflight.com.

Pictured: Ashlee Edgemon as Beatrice and Martel Manning as Benedick. Photo by Zack Whittington.

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