May 20, 2004
Section: Theatre
Article ID: 2161416
Enjoy a 'Dream' in Stratford
JOE MEYERS
As the fall to spring seasons of the area's regional and community theaters wind down, the summer outdoor Shakespeare season is just starting. The area has seen a boom in free summer Shakespeare performances in recent years, with productions by Bridgeport Free Shakespeare in Beardsley Park and the Elm Shakespeare Company in New Haven.
The Stratford Library has developed a relationship with Jersey City's Hudson Shakespeare Company; this year's season will start with a performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The non-profit New Jersey troupe is starting its 13th season of touring New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, but this is the first time the company is launching the season in the town that was once home to the legendary American Shakespeare Festival.
John Short has directed "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Shakespeare's magical comedy about four lovers who each wants someone they can't have until supernatural forces intervene.
"Love, breakups, sex, marriage, death, fairies, a donkey and some interesting plants make for one crazy night in the woods of Athens," is the way the company describes the play.
The mix of romance, comedy and magic makes "A Midsummer Night's Dream" one of the best Shakespeare plays for children.
The Hudson Shakespeare Company uses professional actors hired for the summer in the New York metro area.
Those who like to prepare for a Shakespeare performance by first reading the play can find the complete text for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" on the theater company's Web site (www.HudsonShakespeare.org)
The company will return to Stratford three times this summer for "Coriolanus" on June 26, "Lysistrata" by Aristophanes on July 24 and "Cymbeline" on Aug. 14.
Saturday's performance will take place outdoors in the library's amphitheater.
If it should rain, the show will be presented in the Lovell Room.
Admission is free but donations will be accepted for the Stratford Library Association.
For more information on the performance, call 385-4162.
(c) 2004 The Connecticut Post. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.
.
