A midsummer night's Dream
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Mark Manske
Opens: Friday, November 9, 2007
Runs: 8 pm, Friday & Saturday, November 9 to December 9
Matinees: Sunday at 2 pm on November 18, 25, December 2 and 9.
Tickets: $18, $11 age 16 & under
We will have two post-show discussions with the cast, crew and director on November 25 and December 2.
Reservations: 510-524-9132
A Magical Tale of Battling Lover and Warring Fairies
The moon rises on an enchanted forest. Young mortals are nearly mad with desire. Passionate fairies are jealously embattled. Ancient enemies wed in Athens while Elizabethan laboreres meet in their midst to rehearse a play of timeless mirth and beauty.
Where love reigns supreme, the dream begins!
More about Midsummer
- Listen to a pre-production version of original music written and peformed by Donald Tieck.
- Download our production script in MS Word format.
- View a classic scene...
PRESS RELEASE:
CCCT OPENS "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM" NOVEMBER 9
El Cerrito, October 19, 2007 - When Louis and Bettianne Flynn founded Contra Costa Civic Theatre in 1960, they vowed that they would present comedies, mysteries, and dramas (with upbeat endings) but never Shakespeare. That vow will be broken on Friday, November 9, when CCCT opens "A Midsummer Night's Dream." What's more, Louis will have a cameo role, and even the late Bettianne would have to agree that it's worth the 47-year wait! Directed by Mark Manske and produced by Maureen Ray, this stunning production features original music and sound design by Donald Tieck, as well as a talented cast of CCCT veterans and newcomers.
In this magical tale of battling lovers and warring fairies, Lysander ((Greg Milholland) loves Hermia (Kate Culbertson) and she loves him. Helena (Heidi Forssell) loves Demetrius (Misha Madison), who used to love her but now loves Hermia. The Duke Theseus (David Bogdonoff) is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta (Cathlin Torrence), Queen of the Amazons. Oberon (Mark Manske) and Titania (Claire Nail), King and Queen of the Fairies, are locked in a dispute over a magical changeling boy. Elizabethan laborers Quince (Phil Reed), Bottom (Joe Fitzgerald), Flute (Malcolm Rodgers), Snout (Alex Shafer), Snug (Jeff Forlenza), and Starveling (Louis Flynn) meet in their midst to rehearse a play but are thwarted when Puck transforms Bottom into an ass! Chaos erupts, but all is reconciled through midsummer-night revelries and faith in the power of nature.
Rounding out the cast of "Dream" are Kyle Nash as Puck, Alan Bodine as Egeus and, as fairies, Chelsea DePianto, Sophie Gabel, Laura Gottwald, Kristophe Green, Paulette Herring, and Monica Lewis. Set designer is Malcolm Rodgers, lighting is by Michael Sweeney, choreography is by Loree Kenagy, and makeup design and application is by Maya Brewer. Myriah Nottage is stage manager and Kate Culbertson is production manager. Claire Nail provided the concept for the costumes, which were executed by Michael Berg and Laura Gottwald.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" plays Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm through December 9, with 2 pm matinees on Sundays, November 18 and 25, and December 2 and 9. A gala no-host reception, with free hors d'oeuvres, will be held with the cast and crew following the opening-night performance. Audiences are invited to participate in post-show discussions after the November 25 and December 2 matinee performances.
"Midsummer" tickets are $18, $11 for ages 16 and under. For reservations call 510.524.9132 (510.524.6654 for group sales) or order online at www.ccct.org. Special half-price adult tickets are available for November 10 and 16 ONLY and must be purchased through CCCT's website. $11 rush tickets will be offered to students of all ages, starting 10 minutes prior to any performance, based on availability, with valid student ID. These tickets cannot be reserved in advance.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre, is located at 951 Pomona Avenue (at Moeser) in El Cerrito, with free adjacent parking. For further information, E-mail ccct@ccct.org or visit www.ccct.org.
Press Photos (click for high resolution version)
Claire Nail as Titania and Kyle Nash as Puck
Photo Credit: Avalon Arts