Rehearsals for Hershey Area Playhouse’s first Shakespeare production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, are underway. “We chose Shakespeare for this show because we feel our performers are ready for the challenge,” says Susan Cort Black, chair of HAP’s board of directors.

Performances will be held at 8 pm March 9-11 & March 16-18 at Country Meadows of Hershey.

Shakespeare may be new to some of the actors, but it’s nothing new for director Karen Ruch of Enola. Ms. Ruch has been the Production Stage Manager for seven years of Harrisburg’s Shakespeare in the Park, and has acted in several plays, including Macbeth, Henry IV, and Midsummer Night’s Dream. She also directed Harrisburg Shakespeare Festival’s mainstage production of The Tempest.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a comedy, is a favorite with audiences. On a midsummer’s night Hermia and her love, Lysander, flee from Athens, and also from Demetrius, the man Hermia’s father wants her to marry. Demetrius follows her, pursued by Helena, the woman who loves him. On the same night Bottom and his friends leave Athens to find a quiet place to practice the play they’ll perform at the wedding feast of Duke Theseus. Drawn into the woods for the night, Shakespeare’s characters enter a world of magic, mystery, and wonder.

The production features many fine local actors: Marley Amstutz (Theseus); Cheryl Powell (Hippolyta); Mark Kopcho (Egeus); Melissa Austin (Hermia); Andrew Mannion (Demetrius); Scott Payonk (Lysander); Julie Strickland (Helena); Rob Kopko (Peter Quince); Micah Margolis (Nick Bottom); Brydon Lidle IV (Francis Flute); Michelle Camilli (Robin Starveling); Kathryn Miller (Tom Snout); David Furjanic (Snug); David Newhouse (Puck); Kent McNeillie (Oberon); Lisa Leone Dickerson (Titania); Emily Wilson (Peaseblossom); Ali Krasner (Mustardseed); Emily Gray (Cobweb); Dustin Hoepfer (Moth). The show is produced by Michelle Camilli and Jessica Hougentogler is the stage manager.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children 12 and under. For more information about A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream and the Hershey Area Playhouse 2005-2006 season please call 717-533-8525 or visit www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com.

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