Long Wharf Theatre Presents A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, 8/23-26

William Shakespeare's classic tale of love and magic gets a fun new twist in this summer's Shake-it-up-Shakespeare Youth Ensemble production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The play is adapted and directed by Long Wharf Theatre's Director of Education Annie DiMartino. Musical direction is by Carol Taubl. Twenty-three local actors, ranging in age from 15 to 21 and from all over southern Connecticut, are performing the play.

The show will take place on Stage II from Thursday through Saturday, August 23 though the 25 at 8 pm, and Sunday, August 26 at 3 pm. Tickets are $10, general admission, and can be purchased by calling 203-787-4282.

Lovers jump and jive their way through the magic of Shakespeare's language while incorporating classic songs from the 1950s, including "Rock Around The Clock" and "Hound Dog." Fairies slither and crawl their way through their animal kingdom while singing contemporary rock music featuring artists like Florence + The Machine and Christina Perri.

When the two worlds collide mischief and misguided love ensue in this innovative take on the play. DiMartino is choosing to emphasize the dream aspects inherent in the work. "When you have a dream, you remember it in snippets and moments. That is how I am directing this work, as a series of images and sounds, singular spots that come together to one cohesive bright light," she said.

The play is set in the 1950s, with the young lovers celebrating their graduation from Athens High School. When the lovers inadvertently wander into the forests, they will encounter two different sets of sprites - those channeling their more animalistic instincts. The intensely physical nature of the work – there is more dance in this show than in previous summer productions – lends itself to a unique brand of storytelling.

"What we try to do with these productions is through movement and music, is try to find the heartbeat of the characters and their moments of discovery," DiMartino said. "When Shakespeare's language realizes heightened emotional state, music comes in. When the music gets intense, it drives into the dance."

The Shake-it-up-Shakespeare Youth Ensemble has taken strides over the past couple of seasons, with increased production budgets that allow for a more professional approach to each show. "There is a formula only in so much that we are infusing music with Shakespeare's language. Each show has its own unique style. For this show, there is no limit to what you can make happen because we are immersed in a dream world," DiMartino said.

The cast, comprised of students aged 15 to 21, includes Lauren Buonasora (North Haven), Chloe Chappa (Middletown), Nina Dicker (Old Saybrook,) Gabriel DiMartino (Middletown), Matthew Johnson (Trumbull), Bowen Kirwood (Easton), Jane Logan (Branford), Alex Luft (Middletown), Celine Montaudy (Norwalk), Tommy Ordway (Easton), Ethan Pierson (Milford,) Ryan Ronan (West Haven), Maya Rose (Bethany), Rachel Skalka (Woodbridge), Jack Taubl (New Haven), James Taubl (New Haven), Jeremiah Taubl (New Haven), Sam Taubl (New Haven), Henry Tobelman (Branford), Kira Topalian (Milford), Erik Van Eck (Ivoryton), Emily Walters (Woodbridge), Dawn Williams (Trumbull).

ATTACHED PHOTO ID: Fairy Queen Titania (played by Nina Dicker of Old Saybrook) sleeps in her bower as her fairy Peaseblossom (played by Dawn Williams of Trumbull), stand watch.

For more information, visit www.longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282.