1980's-Inspired Musical Adaptation Of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Comes to the Oregon Coast

Just in time for Halloween! An exciting, electrifying new adaptation of one of Shakespeare's most popular works - A Midsummer Night's Dream - will cast its spell on the Oregon Coast this October, presented by Red Octopus Theatre Company.

As a group of lovers escape into a forest of mischief and magic, the creatures of the night arise. What follows is a thrilling evening of enchantment and adventure - brought to you by director and choreographer Darcy Hogan (responsible for 2015's wildly re-imagined version of The Taming of the Shrew). Hogan has infused Shakespeare's timeless words with movement, songs inspired by the music of the 1980's, Halloween twists, and honest-to-goodness magic. The result is a captivating, delightfully toe-tapping evening you won't want to miss.

"I fell in love with the work of William Shakespeare as a teen in the eighties," said Hogan, "This production combines my passion for Shakespeare's words, theater, comedy, dance, Halloween, and the music and films of the 1980's. If that sounds like a lot to squeeze into one evening - it is. And you're going to love it."

Music director Milo Graamans worked side-by-side with Hogan to develop the score, which features 17 musical numbers. The cast of 32 features some of the coast's most sought-after talent, including Cody Larsen as Puck, Pete Theodore as Oberon, Karlia Bertness as Titania, Cooper Theodore as Bottom, Jessica Moll as Helena, William Webster as Demetrius, Melissa MacDonald as Hermia, Christian Heath as Lysander, and Cassie Lihou as Peaseblossom. The show also includes a trio of singers known as "The Sirens" (Nikki Atkins, Katrina Theodore, and Caity Showalter), as well as several roles created just for this production - including Danika Simon as Sarah, Braylon Belloni as Frog, and Joshua Lawrence... as William Shakespeare himself.

Director/choreographer Darcy Hogan has earned critical acclaim as both an actor and director. She is a 35-year veteran of the stage, a former acting company member of the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival, an award-winning playwright, former Burlesque dancer/choreographer, and half of the coast's musical comedy duo - The Tequila Mockingbirds.

The production runs October 12-28 in the state-of-the-art Alice Silverman Theatre at the Newport Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling 541-265-ARTS, online at www.CoastArts.org, or by visiting the box office at 777 W. Olive Street in Newport during regular box office hours. To learn more, visit www.OctopusOnStage.com

Red Octopus Theatre Company is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and has been presenting live theatre on the Oregon Coast for over forty years. To learn more, visit wwww.OctopusOnStage.com

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