Cast Set For A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM From Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Announces
Steven Maler directs the free production at Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common for CSC's 30th anniversary
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company has announced the cast and creative team of their 30th Anniversary production: William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Directed by CSC Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler, the production will take place at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, July 22 – August 9, 2026, in partnership with the City of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu, City of Boston Parks and Recreation, and Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture.
Since its inaugural production of the enchanting comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream at Copley Square in 1996, CSC has been dedicated to artistic excellence, accessibility, and education. The Company has spent twenty-nine summers presenting Shakespeare's plays with free performances of the highest caliber on the Boston Common; Stage2 productions of Shakespeare's plays presented for middle and high school students each spring; and since 2024, CSC has also produced its annual Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol.”
Young lovers escape to a wonderland of freedom and desire, drawn together and torn apart by forces they can't quite control in Commonwealth Shakespeare Company's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare's classic comedy is transported to a neon-lit festival escape, where rules dissolve and self-expression blossoms. The air pulses with music, mystery, and mischief as Puck (The Skivvies' Nick Cearley) and his fairy band move like shadowy DJs of fate, remixing hearts with a single drop of enchanted nectar. Every corner of the festival grounds hums with temptation, transformation, and the electric thrill of love and community.
The cast will include (in alphabetical order), Michael Broadhurst* as Flute, Annika Burley* as Helena, Meghan Carey* as Hermia, Nick Cearley* (NYC's The Skivvies) as Puck/Philostrate, Nora Eschenheimer* as Hippolyta/Titania, De'Lon Grant* as Theseus/Oberon, Jack Greenberg* as Demetrius, Jaime José Hernández* as Lysander, Karen MacDonald* as Quince, Paul Melendy* as Bottom, and Brooks Reeves as Egeus/Starveling. The cast also features CSC2 Company members Patrick Curran as Snout, Nicolas Bolton as Mustardseed, Evan Danyliw as Moth, Bella Grace Harris as Fairy, Alex Leondedis as Snug, Dani Grace Nissen as Peaseblossom, and Alexandra White as Cobweb.
Steven Maler directs the production, with Victoria Townsend as Associate Director, Choreography by John Lam (Lam Dance Works, Boston Ballet, CSC's The Tempest and A Christmas Carol), Amy Rubin^ (New Group's Cyrano with Peter Dinklage, Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical, BLO's Macbeth, A.R.T.'s Gloria) as Scenic Designer, Brooke Stanton^ (Lucasfilms' “Return of the Jedi”) as Costume Designer, Maximo Grano de Oro^ as Lighting Designer, David Reiffel (CSC's The Tempest and As You Like It) as Composer and Music Director, Ted Kearnan as Sound Designer, Lauren Corcurera as Properties Designer, Lauren Cook as Intimacy Choreographer, Bryn Boice as Text Coach, and Nars Kelliher as Assistant Lighting Designer.
* notes Actors' Equity member
^ notes United Scenic Artist Local 829 member
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