Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Mansfield Shakespeare Company is thrilled to announce its inaugural production, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare, set to enchant audiences in Mansfield’s South Park. Directed by Scott Leon Smith, this timeless comedy of unrequited love and unexpected metamorphosis will be performed on July 13 at 7:00 PM and July 14 at 3:30 PM.
Event Details:
- What: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare
- When: July 13 at 7:00 PM & July 14 at 3:30 PM
- Where: Mansfield’s South Park (100 Brinkerhoff Ave, Mansfield
- Cost: Free! Donations are accepted but not expected
- What to Bring: Chairs, picnic blankets, drinks, and snacks
About the Production: Join us for a delightful evening of magic, mischief, and mayhem with one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is packed with hilariously entertaining scenes, performed by some of the area’s most talented and well-known performers.
Director Scott Leon Smith shares his enthusiasm: “Midsummer is Shakespeare’s comedy playground. He explores the ridiculous aspects of young love through some of his most endearing poetry. And this exploration takes place in a magical realm where the absurd is commonplace. Only Shakespeare can take mythical heroes, hopeless romantics, mischievous spirits, & amateur thespians and stir them into a playful farce that actually ends up being really profound.”
When asked “Why Shakespeare and why Midsummer?” Scott replied, “Even though Shakespeare’s works are 400 years old, the storylines, situations, and even the jokes are familiar. If you’ve never seen Shakespeare acted out, you’re truly in for a treat. Midsummer portrays situations that most of us have been in or seen a loved one go through like loving someone your parents don’t approve of, loving someone who doesn’t love you back, or people meddling in your life just for fun. This is one of Shakespeare’s most accessible works. It is a madcap story, something that takes us out of the ordinary and drops us into a world of fun and fantasy. We are working to embrace the fun and silliness while still respecting the language, poetry, and story.”
About the Mansfield Shakespeare Company: The Mansfield Shakespeare Company is a fledgling non-profit organization dedicated to making Shakespeare accessible to the community in a fun and engaging way.
Mission Statement: Their mission is to produce high-quality cultural experiences for Mansfield and surrounding communities through performances and interactive events that center around the works of William Shakespeare. “Shakespeare for all… and for all time.”
For more information about the Mansfield Shakespeare Company and the show, please visit www.mansfieldshakespearecompany.org. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content! This show is presented In partnership with The Ohio State University at Mansfield and the RCDG Mansfield Arts & Culture Sector.
This production was made possible through a grant from the Robert and Esther Black Family Foundation of the Richland County Foundation with additional support from: Lindsay Zimmer, Realtor RE/Max First Realty and Park National Bank.
