A Midsummer Night's Dream

By William Shakespeare

Directed by Patrick Strain

Shakespeare's romantic comedy set in the 1970's, centers on the trials and tribulations of four couples. Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and his bride-to-be, Hippolyta face difficulties as their wedding day approaches; Oberon and Titania, the King and Queen of the Fairies are quarreling in the forest; and four young lovers: Hermia and Lysander and Helena and Demetrius, are caught in an ever changing circle of love and hate, lust and rejection. Helena burns for Demetrius who yearns for Hermia who only has eyes for Lysander who returns Hermia's affection. But that is before their circle of love becomes twisted by Puck, Oberon's head mischief-maker, running around the forest with an herb which causes people to fall in love with the first person or thing they see upon waking. Throw in a group of dim-witted, yet hard working laborers preparing a disastrously funny play for the Duke's wedding and the complications become fantastically funny.

Produced by Portage Center for the Arts, Inc. (Zona Gale Young People's Theatre) at 301 E. Cook St., Portage, WI 53901

Performances: November 11-14 & 18-21, 2004 at Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sundays 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices Adults $7, Students $5 (discount for groups of 10 or more people)

Call 608-742-5655 for reservations or more information.