HMB Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Begins Tonight

In their third season, the Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company will present William Shakespeare's beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Opening Labor Day weekend, the company has moved to downtown Half Moon Bay and will present the play in John L. Carter Memorial Park, located just north of the historic and controversial bridge on Main Street. "The park is a perfect location for outdoor theatre and since the inception of the company, we have wanted to use it for our productions." said Company Artistic Director and director of the play, Robert Pickett. "We felt Midsummer would be the best show to open in the park because of the redwood trees and forest setting. The park is a perfect amphitheatre and set far enough away from the street."

The company has set the play in the 1920s and incorporated music, costume and dance from the era. The play will also feature clowning, juggling, a band of actors in a play within the play, feuding fairies and four, star crossed lovers lost in the forest. Michael LaGuardia has written original music for the play and arranged the music from the era. Clowning and merriment will be provided by Douglas Nolan. Movement and choreography are by Anna Robertson and costumes by Lisa Claybaugh.

In their first two seasons, the Company performed at Cameron's Pub and Inn in the Outback. The Taming of the Shrew was their first production set in post WW2 Italy, followed by Hamlet set during the Romantic era. In keeping with their mission and vision, the company is gearing up to tour the Coastside schools with scenes from Shakespeare as a part of their Outreach and Education Program. The Company plans to make announcements for the program on opening night of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Tickets are available online at the Company's website: www.hmbshakespeare.org or can be obtained at Coastside Books in downtown Half Moon Bay, 432 Main Street. The play performs for ten performances, tonight, August 29, 30, 31, September 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 and all performances begin at 6:00 PM. Theatregoers are encouraged to dress warmly, bring low beach chairs or blankets and come early to picnic in the park. The gate will open at 5:30. Parking is available in Stone Pine Business Park, 80 Stone Pine Road off of Main Street and adjacent to Carter Park.

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