There’s a reason why some plays are produced again and again. Take, for example, Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
This spring, from May 12-June 9, Everyman Theatre will bring director and Associate Artistic Director Noah Himmelstein’s unique vision for the play to the stage in a contemporary production that’s full of surprises.
“Last year, we had some planning sessions and we were talking about ways to utilize the company in new ways,” says Himmelstein. “And I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to do “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and have the roles of the young lovers be played by middle aged actors in the company?”
Himmelstein went with the idea, casting Everyman Resident Company members Deborah Hazlett, Jefferson A. Russell and Bruce Randolph Nelson and D.C. actress Natalia Lynette Rathnam.
“Early on in the discovery phase, I was drawn to the era when these actors came of age — the late 70s, early 80s,” says Himmelstein. “There’s so much fabulous music, whether it’s Stevie Nicks or David Bowie; people are experimenting with higher states of consciousness, either through hallucinogens or dream work or meditation. There’s incredibly beautiful celestial imagery, but there’s also a lot of crazy sex and drug use and mistaken identities.”
“It’s a joyful celebration, a rallying call to protect nature; finding or remembering your first love and unifying the different parts of ourselves that easily become imbalanced. It’s produced often because it always has something fresh to say about accessing your spirit.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit everymantheatre.org.
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Jmore talked with associate artistic director Noah Himmelstein about Everyman Theatre's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and his unique spin on the Shakespearian classic.