Chesapeake Shakespeare Co Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Now celebrating its ninth year at the ruins in Ellicott City, CSC presents a summer season that is bound to dazzle and delight audiences of all ages. Returning to the picturesque PFI Historic Park, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company will present two wildly popular plays in repertory, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).

Back by popular demand, A Midsummer Night's Dream will open the summer season on June 10th at 8:00 pm. The excitement of a royal wedding in Athens sends a quartet of lovers and a motley group of amateur actors into a magical fairy-filled forest. Staged by founding Artistic Director Ian Gallanar as a carnival, the delightful romantic comedy will play out against the natural background of lush trees, the majestic stone-wall remnants of the PFI, and the spectacular twinkling stars of the Ellicott City night sky. This Shakespearean classic provides a cavalcade of fun for audiences of all ages.

Audiences will recognize many of CSC's resident Acting Company in the 2011 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream: Jose Guzman (Theseus/Oberon), Shannon Listol (Hermia), Jamie Jager (Puck), Vince Eisenson (Starveling), Steven Hoochuk (Quince), Gregory Burgess (Flute) and David Tabish (Bottom). Newer faces to Chesapeake Shakespeare's cast of MSND include: Molly Moores (Hippolyta/Titania), Matthew Ancarrow (Demetrius), Kathryn Kelly (Helena), JulIan Martinez (Lysander), Robby Rose (Snout) and Scott Farquhar (Snug).

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) will join the performance roster for Chesapeake-Shakespeare-Company-in-the-Ruins on Friday, June 24th, 8:00 pm. Three of CSC's most hilarious comic actors--Scott Graham, Frank Mormon and John Miller-- perform a two-hour version of Shakespeare's greatest hits. This wacky comedy review written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield unites both expert and novice Shakespeare fans in a glorious romp! Directed by Scott Small, this is a laugh-out-loud comedy sure to please.

To enhance their performances, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company In-The-Ruins features pre-show entertainment that includes musicians, jugglers, and stage combat demonstrations to engage those that arrive early to enjoy the sights and sounds at the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park. The gates open 90 minutes before show time for picnicking.

The summer season features other special events and activities, including:

· Free admission for all children under 18 (limit-2 children per 1 paying adult)
· Free admission for all active military
· Family Friendly Sundays with interactive activities especially designed for children
· Fun Formal Fridays, where couples can rent a private candlelit table

Tickets can be purchased online at www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com or call 410-313-8661.

Mission: The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company creates performances and education programs out of great classic theatre. Classic plays can be awfully good, but only if they speak to their audience and the community in a way that is dynamic, personal, and pleasurable. We do plays that people like, and we perform them in innovative and intimate ways that intensify the connection between audiences and artists. We do this because we want to know what makes Shakespeare so great-and we ask our audience and our community to explore that question alongside us.