The Illinois Shakespeare Festival (ISF) announces the cast and creative team for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The production’s preview performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28. The production will run through Aug. 12. Dates and times will vary. For a full production calendar, visit IllinoisShakes.com/Plays/Midsummer-Nights-Dream.
What better way to celebrate ISF’s 40th anniversary than with ISF’s magical, musical, and imaginative interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream? This family-friendly production of Shakespeare’s world-famous comedy follows four young lovers into an enchanted forest for an unforgettable journey of trickery, laughter, and love. Featured in this production is a musical Puck, whose original score is sure to cast a spell on audiences.
The principal roles for A Midsummer Night’s Dream feature Nisi Sturgis as Titania (HBO’s Boardwalk Empire), Jordan Coughtry as Puck, and ISF regular Thomas Anthony Quinn (recently featured in NBC’s Chicago P.D.) as Bottom.
Primary roles for other cast members include Thom Miller as Theseus, Patrick Toon as Egeua, Raffael Sears as Lysander, Jesse Bhamrah as Demetrius, Joe Bianco as Snug, Emily Wold as Helena, Susie Parr as Hermia, Mehry Eslamina as First Fairy, Jose Nateras as Snout, Tyler Miller as Starveling, and Chris Vizurraga as Flute.
Directing A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Robert Quinlan, Illinois State assistant professor of theatre and head of MFA in directing. Quinlan returns to ISF where he previously directed Richard the Second and Macbeth. Joe Klug, set designer, is making his debut with ISF after designing several productions in Chicago and Milwaukee. Other design team members include Tyler Wilson, costumes; Kieran Pereira, sound; and Dan Ozminkowski, lighting.
Tickets are available at Illinois State’s Center for Performing Arts box office Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. or by calling 309-438-2535 during box office hours. Tickets can also be purchased online by visiting IllinoisShakes.com. Single ticket prices range from $12-$49. All performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will take place at the Theatre at Ewing, located at the corner of Emerson Street and Towanda Avenue.
Season tickets are still available for all three plays of ISF’s 2017 season. Other productions include Shakespeare’s Amazing Cymbeline and I Heart Juliet, a hip-hop adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Prices range from $35 to $128. For more information about the Festival and its 40th season, visit IllinoisShakes.com.
