A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Onstage May 12 – June 9
For Immediate Release
Press Contact: Corey Frier
cfrier@everymantheatre.org
(APRIL 25 | Baltimore, MD) – This spring, Everyman Theatre will present William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a dynamic ensemble cast of 12 seasoned actors who are no strangers to Shakespeare. This humorous play, adapted by Gavin Witt, is being directed by Everyman Associate Artistic Director, Noah Himmelstein (The Skin of Our Teeth, An Almost Holy Picture). Inspired by the timeless desire to feed our youthful spirit, Himmelstein has brought members of Everyman’s Resident Company together to explore a different take on ‘young love.’ His unique vision infuses the play with a fresh perspective, inspired by the late 70’s and early 80’s, where audiences will be transported into a world of magic, mischief, and imagination set to the stylings, sounds, and vibrant energy of the lovers’.
Celebrated as one of Shakespeare’s most cherished comedies, the play is noted for its carnival like atmosphere, propelling the narrative with wonder and whimsy. Himmelstein leans into the strengths and bonds of the resident company and casting it a little differently by skewing the ages of the young lovers.
“In alignment with the essence of this visionary literature about the many characterizations of love and transformation, I’ve invited middle aged actors to play the young lovers alongside a remarkably large ensemble. In our production, they step away from our world into a portal that takes them into a dream of their teenage years and this mythical play, “states Himmelstein, “It’s a joyful romantic comedy about finding or remembering your first love and unifying the different parts of ourselves that easily become suppressed and imbalanced. Afterall, dreams frequently meld various times and places from the entire span of a person’s life within a single evening.”
Everyman’s second Shakespeare production in its 34-year history, A Midsummer Night’s Dream features a cast comprised seven members of the Resident Company including Deborah Hazlett (Harvey, The Lion in Winter) as Helena, Helen Hedman (A Doll’s House, Dinner, and Cake) as Snug/Cobweb/Lion, Hannah Kelly (Harvey, The Lion in Winter) as Quince/Moth/Moonshine, Tony Nam (The Book Club Play, Dial M for Murder) as Bottom/Pyramus, Bruce Randolph Nelson (The Book Club Play, A Doll’s House) as Lysander, Zack Powell (The Book Club Play, The Sound Inside) as Philostrate/Puck, and Jefferson A. Russell (Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Jump) as Demetrius. The cast also includes newcomers Andreá Bellamore as Hippolyta/Titania, Suzanna Catherine Fox as Flute/Peaseblossom/Thisbe, Natalya Lynette Rathnam as Hermia, and René Thornton Jr. as Theseus/Oberon. James Whalen (Ghosts) returns to the Everyman stage as Egeus/Snout/Mustardseed/Wall.
Joining Himmelstein, the creative team is composed of Resident Artists Daniel Ettinger (Set Design), David Burdick (Costume Design), Gary Logan (Text), Pornchanok Kanchanabanca (Sound Design), Robyn Quick (Dramaturgy), and Lewis Shaw (Fights and Intimacy). Also joining the Resident Artists are Aja Jackson (Lighting Design) and Shalyce Hemby (Choreography). Diane Healy will lead as Stage Manager with Jalon Payton as Assistant Stage Manager.
There are 33 scheduled performances available to the public, starting with a special Pay-WhatYou-Choose Performance on Sunday, May 12. Weekday and weekend performances run through Sunday, June 9. Tickets start at $29, with accessible Pay-What-You-Choose seats available for every performance.
Special Opportunities
- Sunday, May 12 – Pay-What-You-Choose: This final dress rehearsal will be open to the
public the Sunday before preview performances begin. General Admission seating is on
a first-come first -served basis. Click here for more information. - Sunday, May 12 – TNT (Theatre Night for Teens): A social event for high-school aged
students who want to see a play and meet other teens interested in theatre. Students
in grades 9-12 are invited to join us for dinner, inside access to the show, pre- and postshow discussions with production artists. All TNT events are $20. More details here. - Sunday, May 19, and Sunday June 9 – Childcare Matinees: The Everyman Theatre
Education and Community Engagement staff will provide childcare for children ages 3 –
12 during the show. Pricing starts at only $25 per child. Take a moment to relax and enjoy
a show knowing your child is safe and having a wonderful time with an Everyman Theatre
Teaching Artist! Learn more about Everyman’s childcare matinee service here. - Wednesday, May 22 – Midweek Matinee: Typically reserved for school field trips and
student groups, an additional midweek matinee performance will also be open to the
public this year. Show time is 1 p.m. (Note: There are also matinee performances every
Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.) - Thursday, May 30 – Cast Conversation: Often a popular event in a show’s run, on this
date we invite patrons to stay after the performance and meet the cast in a 30-minute
facilitated talkback discussion. More details here.
ABOUT EVERYMAN THEATRE
Everyman Theatre provides transformative experiences through professional theatre that are welcoming, relevant, and affordable to everyone. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi and featuring a Resident Company of artists, the theatre centers the core values of people, community, and excellence by creating an environment where individuals are valued and important; cultivating an inclusive community that reflects the diversity of the greater Baltimore region and values compelling stories, engagement with others, and lifelong learning; and working to ensure that excellence drives every aspect of the organization. The theatre is committed to engaging, inspiring, and transforming artists, audiences, and communities through theatre of the highest artistic standards and embodying the promise of its name, Everyman Theatre. Everyman Theatre is a proud member of the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District, the Market Center Merchants Association, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. Lancisi partners with Managing Director Marissa LaRose in leading the organization.
Everyman Theatre stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and AAPI (Americans and Pacific Islanders) communities and is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive atmosphere at every level of our organization.
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