Revised Schedule -- And Dreaming Is Free!

William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy unfolds under the moon and stars in downtown Lincoln this summer as The Flatwater Shakespeare Company stages A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Lincoln Community Foundation Gardens, on N Street between 14th and Centennial Mall. The paths of young lovers, meddling spirits, and amateur tragedians cross hilariously and combine with a Royal Wedding of mythic proportions. In honor of the “Celebrate Lincoln” street fair on June 10-11, Flatwater Shakespeare will delay the opening until Wednesday, June 15. The production will now run for two weeks, Wednesdays through Sundays, 7:30 p.m., to June 26. Call 402-473-2897 for information.

Thanks to several grants and in keeping both with our mission to engage new audiences for classic theater and with our desire to reward our existing audience, which has supported Flatwater Shakespeare so strongly over eleven years, we are offering attendance at all performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream free of charge. We suggest a freewill donation of ten dollars but our policy is – donate what you can or donate nothing at all and just give Shakespeare a try. The mainstage production has received generous support from the Lincoln Community Foundation, the Cooper Foundation, and the Lincoln Arts Council. The Woods Charitable Trust has funded a subsequent tour of the show.

Theseus, Duke of Athens, anxiously awaits his marriage to recent conquest Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. Complicating matters is a dispute between the lady Hermia and her father, Egeus. Hermia loves Lysander, but Egeus has chosen Demetrius as a more suitable match. Hermia and Lysander run away into the woods, pursued by Demetrius – who is pursued by the lady Helena. In the forest, another royal couple is having problems: Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of the faerie world, are locked in a bitter dispute. Also in the forest, a company of amateur actors has gathered to rehearse a play in Theseus and Hippolyta’s honor. The mischievous sprite Puck, who serves as Oberon’s court jester, interferes with the lovers, the actors, and the affections of his King and Queen. Somehow, as Puck says, “all shall be well” in one of Shakespeare’s most harmonious conclusions.

Director Bob Hall has brought together a vital and engaging ensemble to cast an appropriately magical spell. Darin Hemmer and Catherine Coffey appear in dual roles, as Theseus and Hippolyta, and also as Oberon and Titania. Mike Lee doubles as Puck and as Philostrate, responsible for the wedding festivities. Petrea Whittier, Rob Burt, Maggie Austin, and Peter Swanke appear as the young lovers. The workingmen who love the stage are Eric Ojeda, Robie Hayek, Nate Ruleaux, Andy Dillehay, Tom Bolin, and Josh Woolery. Paul Pearson appears as Hermia’s outraged father. The denizens of the faerie realm are played by Jessie Tidball, Sydney Ray, Jennifer Holm, Madison Smith, Jordan Deffenbough, Cory Misek, and Christian Novotny. Janice Stauffer is costume designer and Dustin Witte is prop master.

For the two weekends following our run at Lincoln Community Foundation Gardens, Thursday through Sunday evenings, June 30 through July 10, Flatwater Shakespeare will take A Midsummer Night’s Dream on tour to parks and other outdoor locations around Lincoln. It will play at 7:00 p.m. and will also be offered free of charge. The list of sites is currently under review by the City of Lincoln and will be sent out upon approval. This touring version is sponsored by a grant from the Woods Charitable Trust and by Prescott Elementary School, First Plymouth Congregational Church, and the Lincoln Department of Parks and Recreation. A youth production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Tom Crew, is also in preparation, funded by the Nebraska Humanities Council.

For more information, please visit www.flatwatershakespeare.org.


A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Dates: June 15-19, 22-26
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Lincoln Community Foundation Gardens
"N" Street, Between 14th and Centennial Mall, Lincoln
Information: 402-473-2897
$10 Suggested Donation