A comedy written by William Shakespeare: a royal marriage, four young lovers, a group of six amateur actors — all controlled and manipulated by fairies in the forest. Was it all a dream?
Nov 3-5 at 7pm and Nov 6 at 2pm
Norwood Drama presents Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Norwood Public School’s Fine Arts Department presents William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream — a timeless comedy of dreamers, lovers, and fairy-inspired chaos — on November 3-6 at Norwood High School. On the eve of a royal wedding, under a midsummer night’s moon, a band of rustic ‘mechanicals’ rehearse their gift — a play — in the forest while four confused lovers fall under the spell of the battling King and Queen of the Fairies.
Norwood High School drama teacher John Quinn directs a cast of actors from Norwood’s high school and middle school including seniors Jessica Maldonado as the impish henchman Puck, Erin Fogarty as Titania, Queen of the Fairies and Meghan Ring as Oberon, King of Fairies. Jason Allen and Tim Rose alternate the role of Lysander, while Paul Nassif and Harry Lane share the role of Demetrius and they in turn alternate in vying for and spurning the fluctuating affections of Andi Stebbins and Alessandra Varon as Helena and Taylor Murchie as Hermia. Allie Campbell’s donkey-headed Nick Bottom leads the band of rustic actors, including Amanda Ciarletto and Sonia Harder as Peter Quince, Brady Sheehan’s Francis Flute, Gabe Maldonado and Caitlin Pentowski’s Tom Snout, Maeve Lyon and Grace Nelson as Snug, and Jania Johnson-Weems and Tori Paul as Robin Starveling as they “move storms” and plumb emotional depths on the stage within a stage. Will Lopez and Sean Rice take the role of Egeus, Dan French portrays Theseus, the Duke of Athens, Colleen Cardinal is the Queen of the Amazons Hippolyta, and Nadine Thomas is Master of Revels Philostrate. Kristen Campbell (Peaseblossom), Kaitlyn Savage (Cobweb), Kaileigh Lennon (Moth), and Mary Erickson (Mustardseed) along with Savanna-Leigh Bannon, Anthony Petruzzelli, Jasmine Santos, and Jenny Ciarletto, comprise Oberon and Titania’s mischievous fairies.
Quinn, James Bowers, Rob Strano, and Tess Gautreaux have created the enchanted setting and magical costumes in which Shakespeare’s characters wander and cavort inspired by Erin Fogarty’s choreography and acting coach Jackie Martin’s guidance, supported by Erin Ryan (sound), Gregory Gassoway (lighting), Becky Butler (crew) and 8th grader Mea SanGiacomo (stage manager).
Performances are at 7pm on Nov 3, 4, 5, and at 2pm on Nov 6 in the Paul M. Alberta Auditorium at Norwood High School. Tickets may be purchased at the door from the wonderful Backstage Boosters ($10 general, $5 seniors/students).
