A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S (QUEER) DREAM Set for Encore Run 4/25-5/19

Theater For The New City have announced an encore engagement of The Hive's critically-acclaimed gender-bender production of William Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S (QUEER) DREAM, directed by Matthew A.J. Gregory. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S (QUEER) DREAM will play a limited engagement at the Johnson Theatre-Theatre for the New City (155 First Avenue, btw. 9th/10th) from Wednesday, April 25 through Saturday, May 19. Opening Night is Friday, April 27 (8 p.m.).

About the show: "This is not your grandmother's A Midsummer Night's Dream, but one for 21st century NYC-a modern re-imagining of Shakespeare's classic, which casts Hermia and Lysander as lesbian lovers with Demetrius and Helena as a gay couple. In the midst of the national gay marriage controversies, this production exposes contemporary America's sexual hang-ups and resistance to gay marriage. Concepts of what constitutes gender, sexual orientation and power will be explored and exploded! A wild bacchanal of every fetish imaginable--filled with delectable and dangerous fairies straight out of everyone's fantasies and fears."

The production stars Chris Critelli (frequent appearances at Lincoln Center Songbook Series, Off Broadway – THE NEW HOPEVILLE COMICS) as Puck/Philostrate, Meghan Grace O'Leary as Oberon/Hippolyta, Samuel Gaines (KING LEAR at Kansas City Rep) as Titania/Theseus, Shira Gregory (FROST/NIXON on Broadway) as Lysander, Alan Winner (Trevor Nunn's GONE WITH THE WIND in the West End) as Demetrius, Marissa Parness as Hermia, Michael Raver (Notable credit - VIEUX CARRE at The Pearl Theatre Co directed by Austin Pendleton) as Helena, Ron Bobst  (Notable credits - WOYZECK at Toy Box Theatre Company, TOGETHER THIS TIME at NY Fringe (Lucille Lortel Theatre)) as Egeus/Tom Snout/Peasblossom, Chris Thorn as Nick Bottom, Sarah Kauffman as Quince/Moth, Fernando Gambaroni (Flea Theatre – MRS. FARNSWORTH with Sigourney Weaver, Mac Wellman's CELLOPHANE) as Robin Starveling.

The production features scenic design by Justin Couchara (Recent: Asst. Scenic Designer for Peter and the Starcatcher, Lead Props Sculptor for Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), costume design by Elizabeth Barrett Groth, and lighting design by Nick Gonsman (Recent: Field Project Coordinator for ETC). Stephanie Riddle is the sound designer, Kyle Haggerty is the assistant director, Jen Littlefield is the choreographer, Joseph Jonah Therrien is the shadow puppet designer andLauren Williams is the stage manager.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM plays the following schedule through Saturday, May 19:

Wednesday at 8pm
Thursday at 8pm
Friday at 8pm
Saturday at 3pm and at 8pm
Sunday at 8pm – pay what you can at the door

Tickets are $25 ($20 student/senior; plus Sunday performances are pay what you can at the door) and are available at www.smarttix.com or (212) 868-4444. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater half an hour prior to performance.

Theatre for the New City – Johnson Theatre
155 First Avenue
(between 9th and 10th Streets)

Running Time: 120 minutes including a 15-minute intermission

http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net/
http://www.thecelltheatre.org/
http://www.thehivetheatre.com/

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