Chicago Shakespeare Theater introduces theater to young audiences

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) continues its 2008-09 CST Family Series with Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream, a 75-minute abridged production of Shakespeare's classic comedy, adapted and directed by Amanda Dehnert. CST's Short Shakespeare! Series is designed for parents, grandparents, teachers-and all adults with children in their lives-to introduce young people to theater. The production will run for seven Saturdays at 11 a.m., January 24 through March 7, 2009 in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater on Navy Pier.

A magical forest, impish fairies and a host of some of Shakespeare's most comedic characters make A Midsummer Night's Dream one of his most popular plays-and a perfect introduction to theater. When lovers cross with mischievous sprites in an enchanted forest, a series of mishaps occur and nothing is what it seems. Add to the mix a bevy of fumbling actors and all chaos breaks loose until dawn breaks and all is once again right with the world.

For young audiences being introduced to live theater, Chicago Shakespeare's Elizabethan thrust stage provides a close relationship between audience members and the actors, enhancing the play-going experience. The stage (modeled after that of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon) is surrounded on three sides by the audience whose laughter and gasps of surprise affect the action on stage and prompts responses from the actors, making each audience member an important part of the performance.

Returning to Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the role of Bottom is Sean Fortunato, most recently seen by CST audiences in the title role of Willy Wonka in 2008. Mr. Fortunato has frequented CST's stages and recently performed in The Comedy of Errors, Othello, and previous productions of Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream. Other actors returning to Chicago Shakespeare Theater are Kareem Bandealy (Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet) as Quince/Egeus; Lacy Coil (Troilus and Cressida) as Helena; John Taylor Phillips (Othello) as Oberon; Matt Schwader (Hamlet, Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, Measure for Measure) as Puck and Bob Turton (Othello, Much Ado About Nothing) as Lysander. Rounding out the cast is Melissa Carlsonas as Titania, Alex Goodrich as Snout/Wall, Megan Long as Hermia, DeRante' Parker as Snug/Lion, Juan Gabriel Ruiz as Demetrius, Matthew Sherbach as Starveling/Moonshine and Shaun Whitley as Flute/Thisbe.

Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream is adapted and directed by Amanda Dehnert, who also adapted, directed and composed the music for Chicago Shakespeare's 2008 production of Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier is not only the region's largest professional theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare, it is also a leading cultural center for young audiences, their parents and teachers. Chicago Shakespeare provides families, students and educators with a unique environment to share one of the richest experiences there is: the making of art and the sharing of stories. By introducing the classics and art to young people, CST offers a significant experience, presenting a convergence of abridged Shakespeare productions, timeless fables and fairy tales, interactive music concerts, and musical theater created with families in mind. For the tens of thousands of families who visit Navy Pier every year, Chicago Shakespeare Theater introduces the classics and the performing arts to young people.

Short Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream will run for seven Saturdays at 11 a.m., January 24 through March 7, 2007. Tickets are $16 for students, 18 and younger (recommended for ages 10 and up), and $20 for adults. Immediately following each performance, the actors remain on stage for a brief question-and-answer session and will then join the audience in the lobby for one-on-one conversations and photo opportunities. For further information and to purchase tickets, call the Chicago Shakespeare Theater Box Office at 312-595-5600, or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.