The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles Opens A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, 7/9

The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles (SCLA), under the artistic direction of Ben Donenberg, returns to The Japanese Garden on the grounds of the VA West Los Angeles Healthcare Center campus with a rollicking summer production of William Shakespeare's romantic comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream," with live music and directed by Royal Shakespeare Company artist Kenn Sabberton - beginning July 9, through July 28 only. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is presented by SCLA in conjunction with VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles is well known and loved for its unique and engaging Los Angeles-focused interpretations of Shakespeare's plays. This year's production draws its inspiration from the late 1950's and early 1960's cultural revolution in Los Angeles. It will feature a returning military warrior's spectacular wedding and the adventures of four young lovers and a group of six amateur actors, controlled and manipulated by a trendsetting sprite that utilizes live music of the era to underscore the exploits inspired by the god of love. The West LA VA's idyllic Japanese Garden is particularly well suited to the play which Shakespeare set in a forest and for which the Japanese Garden is ideal. The play, a broad comic and crowd-pleasing comedy, is one of Shakespeare's most popular works.

Ben Donenberg, Artistic Director of The Shakespeare Center said, "We are returning to the splendor of the VA's Japanese Garden to present Shakespeare in the loveliest secret outdoor venue on the West Side and the most perfect place for Shakespeare under the stars in Southern California. Our patrons have a chance to enjoy gourmet picnics and a world-class company of actors in what is arguably Shakespeare's most popular comedy. This "Midsummer Dream" with a great company of wonderful Los Angeles Shakespearean actors, directed by an internationally acclaimed 10-year veteran director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, will offer live music of the era - an important part of our productions - on a lovely mid-summer evening. Additionally this allows us to continue our work involving hiring and training veterans on the job. Last summer, veterans comprised 44% of the entire company's workforce. Vets will work as valued members of our backstage and front of house team. Veterans will also be part of the performing company, and we are making complimentary tickets available to active military personnel, veterans, their care-givers and family members."

The Japanese Garden on the grounds of the West Los Angeles VA is at 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90073 (adjacent to the Brentwood Theatre). Tickets for "Midsummer Night's Dream" are available online at shakespearecenter.org. For information about the ticket program for active military and veterans, please call SCLA at 213-481-2273.