The Bainbridge Performing Arts Shakespeare Society is partnering with the Bloedel Reserve to present a special outdoor summertime performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 26.
In the heart of summer, the Bloedel Reserve offers an unparalleled backdrop for William Shakespeare’s famed works.
In “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” all of Athens is preparing for the wedding day of Duke Theseus and his new queen, but teenagers are arguing with their parents and now the Duke has to get involved. Everyone runs off to the forest, where they meet the woodland faeries for a bit of madness and misuse of a love potion, before returning to Athens for the big community theatre performance.
Director Tom Challinor — supported by assistant director Lee Ann Hittenberger — leads a talented and engaging cast of familiar faces and newcomers, featuring Dara Lillis, Jennifer Pippin-Montanez, Aaron Moore, Max Levit, Kat Zommers, Heidi Lindholm, George Shannon, Marc Cantwell, Joel Underwood, Kristi Jacobson, Jennifer Hodges, Austin Bennett, Evelyn Cantwell, Sophie Eldridge, Olyvia Renae-Young, Zac Norberg, Ben Eldridge, Trey Bennett, Matt Eldridge, Gary Fetterplace, Bob Downing, Chris Lane, Linda Owens, Diane Walker and Chris Norberg.
“Bloedel Reserve is excited to collaborate with BPA, as they are experts in producing high-quality entertainment,” said Korum Bischoff, Bloedel’s director of communications and events. “Their superb performance, coupled with the reserve’s inspiring landscape, promises a memorable outdoor show for theater-goers.”
The Bard’s masterpiece appears at 7 p.m. at Bloedel Reserve (7571 NE Dolphin Drive) July 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26.
A special Pay-What-You-Can Preview will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 8.
Audience members should be prepared for a beautiful 5-minute walk between the parking area and meadow.
Gates open at 6 p.m., but patrons may enter the grounds earlier by paying a reduced same-day-only rate of $5 – valid after 4:30 p.m. Patrons must be on the Will Call list, or present their ticket(s) to Bloedel Reserve to take advantage of this offer.
Tickets, $25 for adults, and $20 for seniors, students, youth, military, and teachers, may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206-842-8569 and in person at BPA (200 Madison Ave. North).
