"A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare is a comedic play that revolves around love, mistaken identities, and magical interventions. The play is set in Athens and in a nearby enchanted forest, where the magical world of fairies and the mortal world of humans intertwine.
The story follows four young Athenian lovers: Hermia, Lysander, Helena, and Demetrius. Hermia is in love with Lysander, but her father Egeus wants her to marry Demetrius. Hermia and Lysander decide to elope into the forest to escape the Athenian law, while Helena, who is in love with Demetrius, follows them hoping to win his love.
In the forest, the fairy King Oberon and his mischievous servant Puck (also known as Robin Goodfellow) create chaos when they decide to use a magical love potion on the Athenian lovers. Oberon wants to help Helena win Demetrius' love, so he instructs Puck to apply the potion to Demetrius' eyes. However, Puck mistakenly applies the potion to Lysander's eyes instead, causing him to fall in love with Helena when he wakes up.
Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors, led by the enthusiastic but bumbling Bottom, is rehearsing a play to perform at the wedding of Duke Theseus and Hippolyta. Puck, in his mischief, transforms Bottom's head into that of a donkey, which causes a hilarious encounter with the fairy Queen Titania.
As the night progresses, the lovers' emotions become entangled in a web of confusion. Hermia feels betrayed by Lysander's newfound love for Helena, and Helena is puzzled by the sudden change in Lysander's affections. Demetrius, now under the potion's influence, pursues Helena relentlessly. The confusion and misunderstandings lead to arguments and fights among the lovers.
Eventually, Oberon realizes Puck's mistake and orders him to set things right. Puck uses the potion to restore the lovers' affections correctly, and the play concludes with the lovers marrying their rightful partners: Hermia with Lysander and Helena with Demetrius.
In the end, the Duke Theseus, Hippolyta, and the other nobles find the lovers' story amusing and dismiss it as mere dream-like fantasies that occurred during the magical night in the enchanted forest. The play also features the hilarious performance of the amateur actors, adding to the overall joyous and festive atmosphere of the work.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" explores the complexities of love, the power of imagination, and the interplay between reality and illusion, all wrapped in Shakespeare's signature wit and poetic language. It remains one of his most beloved and enduring comedies, captivating audiences with its enchanting blend of romance, humor, and the magical world of fairies.
**** SPECIAL EVENTS ****
Saturday, February 10 at 11:00 a.m. will be a Sensory-Friendly performance and will be American Sign Language (ASL)* interpreted.
* ASL seating: You may purchase these tickets here (online). Please view the Left section of the seating area. You will note there are blue seats labeled for "Accessible Seating". Our ASL Interpreters will be featured there.
For more information pertaining to this event, please visit our FAQ Page.
