Shakespeare Project Of Chicago Presents Free Performances Of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago continues its 24th Theatrical Reading Season with free performances of Shakespeare's comedy of lovers, fairies and amateur actors, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, running Feb. 15-21, 2019, at eight Chicago-area venues, including two new venues for this season in La Grange and Elmhurst.

In dreams, anything is possible. The recipe for Shakespeare's most popular comedy includes a group of two young lovers, some amateur actors, and, of course, an assortment of fairies, including Oberon and Titania, in the midst of a bitter custody battle. The play commences with a marriage and then the fun really begins. What better time to depart Chicago's cold winter and sojourn to Athens and its nearby forests?

Melanie Keller makes her Shakespeare Project directing debut, helming a cast that includes Maxwell Alexander (Robin Starveling/Mustardseed), Chris Amos (Tom Snout), Travis Delgado (Demetrius), Stephanie Diaz (Titania/Hippolyta), Sam Douglas (Francis Flute/Cobweb), Amanda Drinkall (Helena), Jose Antonio Garcia (Robin Goodfellow "Puck"/Philostrate), Fred Geyer (Lysander), Brian Gill (Oberon/Theseus), Lachrissa Grandberry (Snug), Robert McLean (Peter Quince/Egeus), Henry Michael Odum (Nick Bottom), Kyle Racas (First Fairy/Peaseblossom), Mary Regalado (Hermia) and Lyric Simonson (Moth/Second Fairy). Jillian Patterson understudies.

The production features original music and sound design by George Zahora. Erika Haaland is the assistant director and Christopher Prentice is the dramaturg and text coach.

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago's Theatrical Readings are fully staged, book-in-hand performances featuring members of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

Admission is free and seating is limited. All performances are preceded by an introduction to the play that commences 15 minutes prior to curtain.

Performance schedule

• Fri., Feb. 15, 7 p.m., Niles-Maine District Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., Niles (registration required, 847-663-1234)
• Sat., Feb. 16, 10 a.m., Buchanan Chapel, Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago
• Sat., Feb. 16, 2 p.m., Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
• Sun., Feb. 17, 2 p.m., Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park
• Mon., Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire (registration required, 847-634-3650)
• Tue., Feb. 19, 7:15 p.m., Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect (registration required, 847-253-5675)
• Wed., Feb. 20, 7:15 p.m., Plymouth Place, 315 N. La Grange Road, LaGrange Park (708-482-6511 to request an invitation for Plymouth Place)
• Thurs., Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst (registration required, 630-279-8696)

The Shakespeare Projects's 2018/19 Theatrical Reading Season will conclude in May with Thomas Dekker and Thomas Middleton's THE ROARING GIRL, directed by Peter Garino.

For more information, visit www.shakespeareprojectchicago.org and www.facebook.com/shakespeareprojectchicago.