CT Free Shakespeare 2013 Announces A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Beginning 7/31

This summer, Connecticut Free Shakespeare (CFS) celebrates its 14th season under the stars with William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Performances will take place at 8:00 pm on July 31 to August 4 at The American Shakespeare Festival Theater in Stratford, CT as part of Festival! Stratford and from August 7 to August 11in downtown Bridgeport at historic McLevy Green. Actors are courtesy of Actor's Equity Association.

Ellen Lieberman, Artistic Director of CFS, says A Midsummer Night's Dream is "Shakespeare's most magical and romantic comedy. It's also the play in which he tells us 'the course of true love never did run smooth'--and there are many lovers in this play!" The story takes place as festivities are planned for the marriage of Duke Theseus to the Queen of the Amazons. Two lovers elope during the night followed secretly by two lovesick admirers. They cross paths in a nearby forest with town craftsmen rehearsing a celebratory play for the duke and his bride. All are caught up in the disquiet of the fairy world resulting from a fierce falling out between the fairy King Oberon and his queen, Titania. Identities are mistaken. Potions go awry. Mayhem and hilarity ensue. "Ultimately, true love prevails, and all live happily ever after."

Ms. Lieberman also announced that although the company has produced outdoor theater at CT's Beardsley Zoo every summer since 2000, "Sadly, due to extraordinary difficulty in fundraising this year, it is not possible to perform there this season. Our board, our staff, and our company of actors are all saddened by this leave-taking, but we are hopeful that CFS will be back performing at the Peacock Pavilion next year." She concluded by expressing the hope that her company's loyal fans who have supported CFS all these years at the zoo will be able to see this year's production on McLevy Green or in Stratford. Last year, the season began jubilantly in early July with capacity crowds at the zoo and ended on a Saturday night in Stratford in early August with a standing ovation by an audience of 1300.

Performances begin at 8:00 pm, but those planning on attending should arrive early and bring blankets or chairs for seating. It is traditional to picnic before the play. Admission and parking are free for all performances. Performances are cancelled when weather conditions are severe. More information can be found at: www.ctfreeshakespeare.org orwww.facebook.com/CTFreeShakespeare Follow CFS on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/CFShakespeare

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