Thomas G. Waites to Present & Direct a Dark, Future-Inspired MIDSUMMER 6/3

Actor and director Thomas G. Waites (Awake & Sing on Broadway, American Buffalo opposite Al Pacino) is set to present and direct a darkly erotic "future-inspired" production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, running from June 3rd-June 27th at the Bernie West Theatre. Waites, who has appeared in over 30 film and teleVision Productions (including John Carpenter's The Thing, And Justice for All, and recurring roles on Law & Order and HBO's Oz) currently runs his own acting studio in New York and also been a member of the Actor's Studio since 1984.

In the magical city of ancient Athens, star-crossed love threatens to carry the day as noble suitors Lysander and Demetrius vie for the hand of sweet Hermia. Hermia and Lysander flee the wrath of her father, wandering into a dark, strange, and intriguing forest. But with Demetrius and the obsessive, desperate Helena hot on their tails, the lovers' quandary immediately, comes to the attention of the forest spirit Oberon, King of the Fairies, who directs his ill-behaved, roguish messenger Puck to sort out the disharmony. Throw in Oberon's own feud with his tempestuous Queen Titania, and a wandering group of struggling and inept actors and you have a night wrought with mayhem, mischief, and most of all, magic.

The cast will feature Zahraa Alzubaidi, Ryan Coyle, Brian Einersen, Jennifer Guest, J.C. Hanisko, Amy Hessler, James Jackson, Jennifer Kalajian, Rachael Lee, Serge Levin, Amy Liszka, Andrea Munson, Daniel O'Brien, Tope Oni, Eric Pena, Alice Ann Robinson, Tania Robles, Lindsay Rosenzweig, Bryan Russo, Noah Smith, and Julie Salzano.

This unique A Midsummer Night's Dream will feature lighting and scenic design from Tsubasa Kamei who plans to create an industrial jungle gym forest. The production will also feature costume design and styling from Jason Vincent, choreography from Amy Hessler, and original music by Thomas G. Waites and Noah Smith. Michael Beyrouti is the stage manager for the production.

A Midsummer Night's Dream will run from June 3rd-June 27th at the Bernie West Theatre at Baruch College (17th Lexington Avenue at 23rd Street, 9th Floor), with performances Thur-Sat at 8pm and Sun at 3pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at www.TheaterMania.com or by phone at 212-352-3101.