A Midsummer Night's Dream Flits to Off-Bway, Jan. 6-28

Vital Theatre Company, in association with Honkbark! Productions, will present its interpretation of Shakespeare's classic comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream from Friday, January 6th, 2006 through Saturday, January 28th at the Vital Theatre Company's McGinn/Cazale Theatre (2162 Broadway on the Fourth floor, at 76th Street).

The show will be directed by John Ficarra, and will feature Sara Moore as Bottom and Laura LeBleu as Titania in its cast of 20.

"One of Shakespeare's early comedies, A Midsummer Night's Dream explores the themes of love, dreams and the creative imagination. The play's complex plot involves two sets of couples-Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius-whose romances are complicated when they find themselves in the enchanted woods ruled by King and Queen of Fairies. Thrown into the mix are the impish Puck and Bottom the weaver and his band, adding further mischief to the story," state press notes.

Ficarra, a professional stage combat choreographer and a graduate of the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, "possesses a passion for the text and an outlandish imagination - the result being a production both traditional and unexpected. Without layering an unnecessary concept on top of the show, Ficarra explores the flipside of the 'dream' drawing inspiration more from the dark slumber of winter than an airy summer nap."

A veteran of San Francisco's Pickle Family Circus, Moore was well-reviewed for her one-woman play Show Ho. She was recently named by New York Magazine as a Performer to Watch and as the Top Pick of the 2005 Artists of Tomorrow Festival. The Emmy award-winning LeBleu was last seen as Laura Bush in Vital Theatre Company's production of Laura's Bush, for which she garnered critical acclaim.

The play also features original music by composer Dana Haynes and an onstage Fairy Band led by professional tuba player Sam Swartz, keeping the score in line with the darker interpretation. Press notes also promise that the show will feature trampolines and a 5' x 10' crash mat.

Performances run Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 6:00 p.m., with the exception of a special Monday night performance on January 9th and a 7:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, January 14th. All tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased by calling (212) 352-3101 or online at www.TheaterMania.com.