Troy University’s theater department will bring “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to Troy theaters next week.
After the success of its fall production, “Single Girls Guide,” this Shakespearean play will be a classical follow-up to the modern play.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a comedy by William Shakespeare, has a story that revolves around the lives of four young lovers and their adventures through the night.
They are joined by fairies, amateur actors, and a duke and duchess. Many other characters include a half-donkey, wood sprites and elves.
The story is told through three interlocking stories about the lovers, the world of Fairy royalty and their elves, and finally, a group of actors trying to stage a production of “Pyramus and Thisbe” for the wedding of the Duke of Athens.
In Shakespearean context, a work that is a comedy usually ends in a marriage, but it also incorporates humor, the modern interpretation of the word.
Between the “love dodecahedrons” and curious characters, this production will be nothing short of fantastical.
Adena Moree, director of the play, said that when she was making the decision to do “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” she wanted it to be something that was really familiar to her.
“It gives young actors rich text to work with,” said Moree.
It also fit the student body that was available to her. Moree was able to cast the parts of the play easily.
“In terms of the text and actor work, it’s one of the most accessible plays,” sad Moree.
Practices for the play began in February, after the close of “Single Girl’s Guide.”
Moree’s concept of the production included the insertion of music, and she said that it really enriches the story. She compared it to the 1935 version of the work, where Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy composed the score.
The music will not be classical as it was in that version of the movie, but it employs the same concept, Moree said.
As for the overall setting of the play, it will take place in a dangerous forest with fairies straight out of mythological tale, said Moree.
There are a healthy mix of students involved in the production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” ranging from freshmen to sophomores and Troy University alumnus Robert McCray.
“It’s a tribute to this faculty and the work they do with our students,” Moree said.
This production allows different parts of the theater department to showcase their skills, since the production is so great, said Moree.
“Theater isn’t meant for us to do it for ourselves; it’s for the audience,” Moree said.
“Students will be entertained from beginning to end. They’ll laugh, be mystified and questions will be raised during the performance.”
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be in the Trojan Center Theater April 24-26 at 7:30 p.m., and on April 27 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 with student ID and $10 general admission.
Tickets will be sold in the box office from 1-5 p.m. and online at www.troytheatre.org.
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