Theatre and Dance at Wayne presents A Whimsical Fairy Tale by Shakespeare

Enter a comically enchanted forest as Theatre and Dance at Wayne presents Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream DETROIT -The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance at Wayne State University invites audiences into the madcap adventures of Shakespeare's romantic, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Opening on Thursday, October 12th at 7 p.m., all are welcome to this telling of the unforgettable story of chaos and mayhem over the course of one night in an enchanted forest.

The Duke is anxiously awaiting his marriage to the Amazonian Queen. As the kingdom prepares for this joyous occasion, a string of whimsical affairs unfolds. Over the course of one summer night, four young lovers get caught in a series of romantic squabbles, as, unbeknownst to them, nearby fairies toy with their heartstrings. Meanwhile, the fairy king devises a scheme with his right-hand man, a mischievous fairy sprite, to make the fairy queen fall in love with a homely donkey. What follows next is a night of hilarious events that are sure to keep audiences delighted.

Director, Lavinia Hart, is excited to be working on such the enduring and recognizable work. "There's something about this play that invites us to attend, no matter how often. When the opportunity presents itself, we audience members, find ourselves preparing to be dazzled with the beauty of a moonlit night in which lovers are possessed, handymen are transformed and transfigured, and Fairy and human royalty deal with conflict until harmony is restored in nature and in the hearts of lovers. We love it - it shows us what we always suspected: Love is Madness! As one of the lovers laments early on 'The course of true love never did run smooth.' As audience members, we may also find ourselves being reassured that with or without love potions, relationships survive in the long run. What delights, raucous humor and grace occur in the deep forest of magical spells. There are images of the moon looking down with 'watery eyes'. She's sad about the chaos but those tears are likely also due to laughter over the many mishaps taking place with her worshipers and journeymen." She goes on to say, "We're proud to offer this production in the intimate Studio Theatre at the Hilberry a talented design team and passionate actors have labored and laughed a lot in rehearsal, in the chance that the audience, in the words of Peter Quince, will indeed 'wonder' at this show. It is an event not to be missed."

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is an entertaining work and the Studio Theatre at the Hilberry is a unique and personal venue for audiences, young and old alike, to rediscover this Shakespearian classic. Tickets are available online at www.theatreanddanceatwayne.com, or call by phone at (313) 577-2972. A convenience fee of $2 per ticket is automatically added to your ticket when purchasing online. Additional fees may be required per order. The Studio Theatre at The Hilberry is only accessible by stairs.

About Wayne State University
Wayne State University is one the nation's preeminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit http://research.wayne.edu/.

Performance Dates
October 12 at 7 p.m. Opening Night
October 13 at 8 p.m.
October 14 at 8 p.m.
October 15 at 3 p.m.
October 19 at 7 p.m.
October 20 at 8 p.m.
October 21 at 8 p.m.
October 25 at 7p.m. For High School Drama Clubs, with special talk back
October 26 at 7 p.m.
October 27 at 8 p.m.
October 28 at 8 p.m.

Cast
Veronica Estigoy (Hippolyta/Titania), Ibrahim Karim (Theseus/Oberon), Jane Clinton (Philostrate/Oberon Fairy), Patrick Roache (Puck), Katie Akers (Hermia), Laura Rose (Helena), Yakeem Tatum (Lysander), Jake Rydell (Demetrius), Madison Hamm (Egeus/Quince/Prologue/Oberon Fairy), Madelynn Guerra (Snout/Wall/Oberon Fairy), Lauren Valice (Starveling/Moonshine/Oberon Fairy), Nigel Tutt (Bottom/Pyramus), Jose Camarena (Flute/Thisbe/Oberon Fairy), Jack Cowper (Snug/Lion/Oberon Fairy), Rachel Fox (Peasblossom), Katelyn Bettendorf (Moth), Bridget Wilkin (Cobweb), Hannah Manela (Mustard Seed), Nicole Gerkey (First Fairy), Mary Anderson (Movement Fairy 1), Vanessa Fry (Movement Fairy 2) ), Hannah Laboyteaux (Movement Fairy 3)

Production
Lavinia Hart(Director), Ciera Flinkingshelt (Stage Manager), Courtney Buzzell (Assistant Stage Manager), Fred Florkowski (Scenic Designer), Lucy Mott (Props Designer), Andrew Cora (Light Designer), Kelsey Nowak (Sound Designer), Mary Copenhagen (Costume Designer), Noelle Tutunjian (Marketing Lead), Meccah Martin (Publicist), Alyssa Still (Audience Development), Dana Gamarra (Stage Management Area Head), John Woodland (Costume Design Area Head), Michael Barnes (Artistic Director), Thomas Karr (Theatre Management Area Head), Karen Kozlowski (Technical Director), Jocelyn Leuadoux (Grad SM Mentor), Russell Blain (Lighting/Sound Design Area Head), Christopher Corporandy (Voice/Text/Speech Specialist) Download a PDF of this release

Theatre and Dance at Wayne: 2017-2018 Season
"The Underpants"
by Steve Martin
Adapted from 1910 German farce Die Hose by the playwright Carl Sternheim
Sept. 29 through Oct. 15, 2017
Hilberry Theatre
A hilarious treat as a housewife finds her life descending into chaos as suitors come calling, threatening her marital comfort. Written by celebrated comedian, Steve Martin, "The Underpants" is adapted from the 1910 German farce "Die Hose" by Carl Sternheim.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream"
by William Shakespeare
Oct. 12 through Oct. 28, 2017
Studio Theatre at the Hilberry
?Shakespeare's most popular comedy arrives on a Midsummer's night where four young lovers find themselves in an enchanted forest. Targeted by the fairy folk who live within, the couples find themselves confused and passions are flared. Meanwhile, a bumbling band of performers wander into the wood and where the fairy mischief-maker, Puck, is ready to ensure the course of true love is anything but smooth. Comedy, love, and confusion collide on this magical moonlight night.

"A Streetcar Named Desire"
by Tennessee Williams
Nov. 3 through Nov. 19, 2017
Hilberry Theatre
?Tennessee Williams' classic drama explores the dark side of relationships as Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski struggle in the heat and steam of New Orleans.

"A Christmas Carol"
based on the novel by Charles Dickens
Dec. 1 through Dec. 17, 2017
Bonstelle Theatre
This holiday season, join Ebenezer Scrooge on a ghostly adventure in Dicken's classes story. When the miserly old Scrooge is visited by his former business partner, now deceased, he begins a journey into the past, present and future to learn the true meaning of Christmas. Will the old codger redeem himself? Can the spirits inspire him to a greater purpose? Find out this Christmas at the Bonstelle Theatre.

"Stop Kiss"
by Diana Son
Dec. 7 through Dec. 16, 2017
Studio Theatre at the Hilberry
A timely and relevant narrative exploring the complexity of LGBT relationships; romantic, personal, and social.

December Dance Concert
Dec. 8 and 9, 2017
Bonstelle Theatre
Contemporary dance masters come together for one weekend only!

Louise Heck-Rabi Dramatic Playwriting One Act Festival
Feb. 1 through Feb. 3 , 2018
Studio Theatre at the Hilberry??
Since 2000, the Studio Theatre at the Hilberry has hosted the Louise Heck-Rabi Dramatic Playwriting One Act Festival, encouraging young playwrights to submit their original works. Each year, 6-7 semi-finalists are chosen out of all submissions. The plays are then read at a Workshop, where they are critiqued by judges. Three finalists win a scholarship as well as the opportunity to produce their play in front of a live audience. Each winning playwright has a chance to work with a student director and student performers to realize their productions on the stage.

"The Colored Museum"
by George C. Wolfe
Feb. 2 through Feb. 18, 2018
Hilberry Theatre
Funny and poignant stories explore African-American culture and experiences in a satirical trip through time.

"Stupid F*ing Bird"
by Aaron Posner
March 1 through March 31, 2018
Studio Theatre at the Hilberry
"The Seagull" is retold as a contemporary tale full of dramatic flair with all the proper entanglements of Chekhov's original story.

The 89th Annual Spring Dance Concert
March 1 and 2, 2018, 2018
Bonstelle Theatre
Highlighting national and international works from top-performing artists.

"Sister Act: The Musical"
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Book by Bill Steinkellner and Cheri Steinkellner
April 13 through April 22, 2018
Bonstelle Theatre
?Sister Mary Clarence comes to the stage with sass, spirit and disco as she transforms the nuns and their choir in this delightfully energetic musical comedy adaptation of the 1991 film.

"King Lear"
by William Shakespeare
April 27 through May 13, 2018
Hilberry Theatre?
The Bard's most notorious father struggles to understand the actions of his vengeful daughters in this renowned tragedy where family and friends offer help and support.

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