A Midsummer Night’s Dream - A Classic Comedy - Old Mill Park Amphitheatre

The Curtain Theatre, Mill Valley’s own company of Shakespeare players, is returning for its 24th  summer production with one of the Bard's most beloved comedies. *A Midsummer Night's Dream* has always lived up to its name, a mad dash into delusion that transforms all who experience it. A quartet of lovers leave the court of Theseus and Hippolyta, evading a blocking parent and unjust law. They enter the realm of the contending fairy rulers, Oberon and Titania, and supernatural sidekicks that include Robin Goodfellow, better known as Puck. Hoping to give love a helpful push, Puck applies a magic charm--to the wrong lovers. Tradesman Nick Bottom the Weaver, in turn, gains a new head that the goddess Titania cannot resist. More conjuring and confusion ensue. Every Jack eventually gets the proper Jill, but Bottom and his rustic band first offer up their questionable acting skills to the court. "I will hear that play," responds Theseus. "For never anything can be amiss/When simpleness and duty tender it." Director Michele Delattre recalls *Midsummer* as one of the first plays she encountered as a child. "Over subsequent decades I have found it moving in entirely new ways," she says. "What stands out is Puck’s final message: that theatre is a sort of communal dream that can transform characters and audiences, and mend all things." Live acoustic music is a hallmark of Curtain productions. This year's repertoire has an Irish lilt to it, featuring traditional jigs and reels as well as original melodies by Don Clark and Hal Hughes. Clark (guitar, octave mandolin) leads a four-piece band that includes Hughes (fiddle), Michele Delattre (concertina) and Jo Lusk (flute). Actors Evan Winet and Gaby Schneider add violin and viola. The set is once again the work of Steve Coleman, whose magical designs exploit the natural beauty of Mill Valley's unique amphitheater in the redwoods. For a special performance on Saturday August 17, the show will move from the stage into the redwood groves. Jody Branham returns as costumer, as does Peter Bradbury as dramaturg. Doyle Ott guides actors on movement; Skylar McMorrow serves as choreographer; J.J. Van Name is text coach; Kim Bromley is producer; and Diane Pickell-Gore is stage manager. Cast: Heather Cherry (Titania), Maggie Del Castillo (understudy), Maya Dostal (Helena), Grisha Driscoll (Demetrius), Allison Eames (Starveling/Mustardseed), James Frankle (Flute), Glenn Havlan (Bottom), Thomas Hutchinson (Snug), Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy (Puck), Helen Kim (Quince), Ofeibia Laud-Darku (Snout/Peaseblossom), Mary Murphy (Cobweb/Amazon), Cassie Nesbit (Hermia), Thomas Peterson (Egeus), Tom Reilly (Oberon), Gaby Schneider (Moth/Oatcake), Marianne Shine (Hippolyta), Zane Speiser (Lysander), Evan Winet (Theseus). The Curtain Theatre, founded in 2000, is dedicated to performing the world’s best plays in one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful settings. Its free outdoor productions in Old Mill Park are designed for first-time viewers as well as long-time theatre buffs. Old Mill Park Amphitheater is behind the Mill Valley Public Library, at 375 Throckmorton Ave. Further information is available at curtaintheatre.org (along with downloadable photos).

The Curtain Theatre, Mill Valley’s own company of Shakespeare players, is returning for its 24th  summer production with one of the Bard's most beloved comedies. *A Midsummer Night's Dream* has always lived up to its name, a mad dash into delusion that transforms all who experience it. A quartet of lovers leave the court of Theseus and Hippolyta, evading a blocking parent and unjust law. They enter the realm of the contending fairy rulers, Oberon and Titania, and supernatural sidekicks that include Robin Goodfellow, better known as Puck. Hoping to give love a helpful push, Puck applies a magic charm--to the wrong lovers. Tradesman Nick Bottom the Weaver, in turn, gains a new head that the goddess Titania cannot resist. More conjuring and confusion ensue. Every Jack eventually gets the proper Jill, but Bottom and his rustic band first offer up their questionable acting skills to the court. "I will hear that play," responds Theseus. "For never anything can be amiss/When simpleness and duty tender it." Director Michele Delattre recalls *Midsummer* as one of the first plays she encountered as a child. "Over subsequent decades I have found it moving in entirely new ways," she says. "What stands out is Puck’s final message: that theatre is a sort of communal dream that can transform characters and audiences, and mend all things." Live acoustic music is a hallmark of Curtain productions. This year's repertoire has an Irish lilt to it, featuring traditional jigs and reels as well as original melodies by Don Clark and Hal Hughes. Clark (guitar, octave mandolin) leads a four-piece band that includes Hughes (fiddle), Michele Delattre (concertina) and Jo Lusk (flute). Actors Evan Winet and Gaby Schneider add violin and viola. The set is once again the work of Steve Coleman, whose magical designs exploit the natural beauty of Mill Valley's unique amphitheater in the redwoods. For a special performance on Saturday August 17, the show will move from the stage into the redwood groves. Jody Branham returns as costumer, as does Peter Bradbury as dramaturg. Doyle Ott guides actors on movement; Skylar McMorrow serves as choreographer; J.J. Van Name is text coach; Kim Bromley is producer; and Diane Pickell-Gore is stage manager. Cast: Heather Cherry (Titania), Maggie Del Castillo (understudy), Maya Dostal (Helena), Grisha Driscoll (Demetrius), Allison Eames (Starveling/Mustardseed), James Frankle (Flute), Glenn Havlan (Bottom), Thomas Hutchinson (Snug), Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy (Puck), Helen Kim (Quince), Ofeibia Laud-Darku (Snout/Peaseblossom), Mary Murphy (Cobweb/Amazon), Cassie Nesbit (Hermia), Thomas Peterson (Egeus), Tom Reilly (Oberon), Gaby Schneider (Moth/Oatcake), Marianne Shine (Hippolyta), Zane Speiser (Lysander), Evan Winet (Theseus). The Curtain Theatre, founded in 2000, is dedicated to performing the world’s best plays in one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful settings. Its free outdoor productions in Old Mill Park are designed for first-time viewers as well as long-time theatre buffs. Old Mill Park Amphitheater is behind the Mill Valley Public Library, at 375 Throckmorton Ave. Further information is available at curtaintheatre.org (along with downloadable photos).

The Curtain Theatre, Mill Valley’s own company of Shakespeare players, is returning for its 24th  summer production with one of the Bard's most beloved comedies. *A Midsummer Night's Dream* has always lived up to its name, a mad dash into delusion that transforms all who experience it. A quartet of lovers leave the court of Theseus and Hippolyta, evading a blocking parent and unjust law. They enter the realm of the contending fairy rulers, Oberon and Titania, and supernatural sidekicks that include Robin Goodfellow, better known as Puck. Hoping to give love a helpful push, Puck applies a magic charm--to the wrong lovers. Tradesman Nick Bottom the Weaver, in turn, gains a new head that the goddess Titania cannot resist. More conjuring and confusion ensue. Every Jack eventually gets the proper Jill, but Bottom and his rustic band first offer up their questionable acting skills to the court. "I will hear that play," responds Theseus. "For never anything can be amiss/When simpleness and duty tender it." Director Michele Delattre recalls *Midsummer* as one of the first plays she encountered as a child. "Over subsequent decades I have found it moving in entirely new ways," she says. "What stands out is Puck’s final message: that theatre is a sort of communal dream that can transform characters and audiences, and mend all things." Live acoustic music is a hallmark of Curtain productions. This year's repertoire has an Irish lilt to it, featuring traditional jigs and reels as well as original melodies by Don Clark and Hal Hughes. Clark (guitar, octave mandolin) leads a four-piece band that includes Hughes (fiddle), Michele Delattre (concertina) and Jo Lusk (flute). Actors Evan Winet and Gaby Schneider add violin and viola. The set is once again the work of Steve Coleman, whose magical designs exploit the natural beauty of Mill Valley's unique amphitheater in the redwoods. For a special performance on Saturday August 17, the show will move from the stage into the redwood groves. Jody Branham returns as costumer, as does Peter Bradbury as dramaturg. Doyle Ott guides actors on movement; Skylar McMorrow serves as choreographer; J.J. Van Name is text coach; Kim Bromley is producer; and Diane Pickell-Gore is stage manager. Cast: Heather Cherry (Titania), Maggie Del Castillo (understudy), Maya Dostal (Helena), Grisha Driscoll (Demetrius), Allison Eames (Starveling/Mustardseed), James Frankle (Flute), Glenn Havlan (Bottom), Thomas Hutchinson (Snug), Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy (Puck), Helen Kim (Quince), Ofeibia Laud-Darku (Snout/Peaseblossom), Mary Murphy (Cobweb/Amazon), Cassie Nesbit (Hermia), Thomas Peterson (Egeus), Tom Reilly (Oberon), Gaby Schneider (Moth/Oatcake), Marianne Shine (Hippolyta), Zane Speiser (Lysander), Evan Winet (Theseus). The Curtain Theatre, founded in 2000, is dedicated to performing the world’s best plays in one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful settings. Its free outdoor productions in Old Mill Park are designed for first-time viewers as well as long-time theatre buffs. Old Mill Park Amphitheater is behind the Mill Valley Public Library, at 375 Throckmorton Ave. Further information is available at curtaintheatre.org (along with downloadable photos).

The Curtain Theatre, Mill Valley’s own company of Shakespeare players, is returning for its 24th  summer production with one of the Bard's most beloved comedies. *A Midsummer Night's Dream* has always lived up to its name, a mad dash into delusion that transforms all who experience it. A quartet of lovers leave the court of Theseus and Hippolyta, evading a blocking parent and unjust law. They enter the realm of the contending fairy rulers, Oberon and Titania, and supernatural sidekicks that include Robin Goodfellow, better known as Puck. Hoping to give love a helpful push, Puck applies a magic charm--to the wrong lovers. Tradesman Nick Bottom the Weaver, in turn, gains a new head that the goddess Titania cannot resist. More conjuring and confusion ensue. Every Jack eventually gets the proper Jill, but Bottom and his rustic band first offer up their questionable acting skills to the court. "I will hear that play," responds Theseus. "For never anything can be amiss/When simpleness and duty tender it." Director Michele Delattre recalls *Midsummer* as one of the first plays she encountered as a child. "Over subsequent decades I have found it moving in entirely new ways," she says. "What stands out is Puck’s final message: that theatre is a sort of communal dream that can transform characters and audiences, and mend all things." Live acoustic music is a hallmark of Curtain productions. This year's repertoire has an Irish lilt to it, featuring traditional jigs and reels as well as original melodies by Don Clark and Hal Hughes. Clark (guitar, octave mandolin) leads a four-piece band that includes Hughes (fiddle), Michele Delattre (concertina) and Jo Lusk (flute). Actors Evan Winet and Gaby Schneider add violin and viola. The set is once again the work of Steve Coleman, whose magical designs exploit the natural beauty of Mill Valley's unique amphitheater in the redwoods. For a special performance on Saturday August 17, the show will move from the stage into the redwood groves. Jody Branham returns as costumer, as does Peter Bradbury as dramaturg. Doyle Ott guides actors on movement; Skylar McMorrow serves as choreographer; J.J. Van Name is text coach; Kim Bromley is producer; and Diane Pickell-Gore is stage manager. Cast: Heather Cherry (Titania), Maggie Del Castillo (understudy), Maya Dostal (Helena), Grisha Driscoll (Demetrius), Allison Eames (Starveling/Mustardseed), James Frankle (Flute), Glenn Havlan (Bottom), Thomas Hutchinson (Snug), Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy (Puck), Helen Kim (Quince), Ofeibia Laud-Darku (Snout/Peaseblossom), Mary Murphy (Cobweb/Amazon), Cassie Nesbit (Hermia), Thomas Peterson (Egeus), Tom Reilly (Oberon), Gaby Schneider (Moth/Oatcake), Marianne Shine (Hippolyta), Zane Speiser (Lysander), Evan Winet (Theseus). The Curtain Theatre, founded in 2000, is dedicated to performing the world’s best plays in one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful settings. Its free outdoor productions in Old Mill Park are designed for first-time viewers as well as long-time theatre buffs. Old Mill Park Amphitheater is behind the Mill Valley Public Library, at 375 Throckmorton Ave. Further information is available at curtaintheatre.org (along with downloadable photos).

The Curtain Theatre, Mill Valley’s own company of Shakespeare players, is returning for its 24th  summer production with one of the Bard's most beloved comedies. *A Midsummer Night's Dream* has always lived up to its name, a mad dash into delusion that transforms all who experience it. A quartet of lovers leave the court of Theseus and Hippolyta, evading a blocking parent and unjust law. They enter the realm of the contending fairy rulers, Oberon and Titania, and supernatural sidekicks that include Robin Goodfellow, better known as Puck. Hoping to give love a helpful push, Puck applies a magic charm--to the wrong lovers. Tradesman Nick Bottom the Weaver, in turn, gains a new head that the goddess Titania cannot resist. More conjuring and confusion ensue. Every Jack eventually gets the proper Jill, but Bottom and his rustic band first offer up their questionable acting skills to the court. "I will hear that play," responds Theseus. "For never anything can be amiss/When simpleness and duty tender it." Director Michele Delattre recalls *Midsummer* as one of the first plays she encountered as a child. "Over subsequent decades I have found it moving in entirely new ways," she says. "What stands out is Puck’s final message: that theatre is a sort of communal dream that can transform characters and audiences, and mend all things." Live acoustic music is a hallmark of Curtain productions. This year's repertoire has an Irish lilt to it, featuring traditional jigs and reels as well as original melodies by Don Clark and Hal Hughes. Clark (guitar, octave mandolin) leads a four-piece band that includes Hughes (fiddle), Michele Delattre (concertina) and Jo Lusk (flute). Actors Evan Winet and Gaby Schneider add violin and viola. The set is once again the work of Steve Coleman, whose magical designs exploit the natural beauty of Mill Valley's unique amphitheater in the redwoods. For a special performance on Saturday August 17, the show will move from the stage into the redwood groves. Jody Branham returns as costumer, as does Peter Bradbury as dramaturg. Doyle Ott guides actors on movement; Skylar McMorrow serves as choreographer; J.J. Van Name is text coach; Kim Bromley is producer; and Diane Pickell-Gore is stage manager. Cast: Heather Cherry (Titania), Maggie Del Castillo (understudy), Maya Dostal (Helena), Grisha Driscoll (Demetrius), Allison Eames (Starveling/Mustardseed), James Frankle (Flute), Glenn Havlan (Bottom), Thomas Hutchinson (Snug), Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy (Puck), Helen Kim (Quince), Ofeibia Laud-Darku (Snout/Peaseblossom), Mary Murphy (Cobweb/Amazon), Cassie Nesbit (Hermia), Thomas Peterson (Egeus), Tom Reilly (Oberon), Gaby Schneider (Moth/Oatcake), Marianne Shine (Hippolyta), Zane Speiser (Lysander), Evan Winet (Theseus). The Curtain Theatre, founded in 2000, is dedicated to performing the world’s best plays in one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful settings. Its free outdoor productions in Old Mill Park are designed for first-time viewers as well as long-time theatre buffs. Old Mill Park Amphitheater is behind the Mill Valley Public Library, at 375 Throckmorton Ave. Further information is available at curtaintheatre.org (along with downloadable photos).

The Curtain Theatre, Mill Valley’s own company of Shakespeare players, is returning for its 24th  summer production with one of the Bard's most beloved comedies. *A Midsummer Night's Dream* has always lived up to its name, a mad dash into delusion that transforms all who experience it. A quartet of lovers leave the court of Theseus and Hippolyta, evading a blocking parent and unjust law. They enter the realm of the contending fairy rulers, Oberon and Titania, and supernatural sidekicks that include Robin Goodfellow, better known as Puck. Hoping to give love a helpful push, Puck applies a magic charm--to the wrong lovers. Tradesman Nick Bottom the Weaver, in turn, gains a new head that the goddess Titania cannot resist. More conjuring and confusion ensue. Every Jack eventually gets the proper Jill, but Bottom and his rustic band first offer up their questionable acting skills to the court. "I will hear that play," responds Theseus. "For never anything can be amiss/When simpleness and duty tender it." Director Michele Delattre recalls *Midsummer* as one of the first plays she encountered as a child. "Over subsequent decades I have found it moving in entirely new ways," she says. "What stands out is Puck’s final message: that theatre is a sort of communal dream that can transform characters and audiences, and mend all things." Live acoustic music is a hallmark of Curtain productions. This year's repertoire has an Irish lilt to it, featuring traditional jigs and reels as well as original melodies by Don Clark and Hal Hughes. Clark (guitar, octave mandolin) leads a four-piece band that includes Hughes (fiddle), Michele Delattre (concertina) and Jo Lusk (flute). Actors Evan Winet and Gaby Schneider add violin and viola. The set is once again the work of Steve Coleman, whose magical designs exploit the natural beauty of Mill Valley's unique amphitheater in the redwoods. For a special performance on Saturday August 17, the show will move from the stage into the redwood groves. Jody Branham returns as costumer, as does Peter Bradbury as dramaturg. Doyle Ott guides actors on movement; Skylar McMorrow serves as choreographer; J.J. Van Name is text coach; Kim Bromley is producer; and Diane Pickell-Gore is stage manager. Cast: Heather Cherry (Titania), Maggie Del Castillo (understudy), Maya Dostal (Helena), Grisha Driscoll (Demetrius), Allison Eames (Starveling/Mustardseed), James Frankle (Flute), Glenn Havlan (Bottom), Thomas Hutchinson (Snug), Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy (Puck), Helen Kim (Quince), Ofeibia Laud-Darku (Snout/Peaseblossom), Mary Murphy (Cobweb/Amazon), Cassie Nesbit (Hermia), Thomas Peterson (Egeus), Tom Reilly (Oberon), Gaby Schneider (Moth/Oatcake), Marianne Shine (Hippolyta), Zane Speiser (Lysander), Evan Winet (Theseus). The Curtain Theatre, founded in 2000, is dedicated to performing the world’s best plays in one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful settings. Its free outdoor productions in Old Mill Park are designed for first-time viewers as well as long-time theatre buffs. Old Mill Park Amphitheater is behind the Mill Valley Public Library, at 375 Throckmorton Ave. Further information is available at curtaintheatre.org (along with downloadable photos).

The Curtain Theatre, Mill Valley’s own company of Shakespeare players, is returning for its 24th  summer production with one of the Bard's most beloved comedies. *A Midsummer Night's Dream* has always lived up to its name, a mad dash into delusion that transforms all who experience it. A quartet of lovers leave the court of Theseus and Hippolyta, evading a blocking parent and unjust law. They enter the realm of the contending fairy rulers, Oberon and Titania, and supernatural sidekicks that include Robin Goodfellow, better known as Puck. Hoping to give love a helpful push, Puck applies a magic charm--to the wrong lovers. Tradesman Nick Bottom the Weaver, in turn, gains a new head that the goddess Titania cannot resist. More conjuring and confusion ensue. Every Jack eventually gets the proper Jill, but Bottom and his rustic band first offer up their questionable acting skills to the court. "I will hear that play," responds Theseus. "For never anything can be amiss/When simpleness and duty tender it." Director Michele Delattre recalls *Midsummer* as one of the first plays she encountered as a child. "Over subsequent decades I have found it moving in entirely new ways," she says. "What stands out is Puck’s final message: that theatre is a sort of communal dream that can transform characters and audiences, and mend all things." Live acoustic music is a hallmark of Curtain productions. This year's repertoire has an Irish lilt to it, featuring traditional jigs and reels as well as original melodies by Don Clark and Hal Hughes. Clark (guitar, octave mandolin) leads a four-piece band that includes Hughes (fiddle), Michele Delattre (concertina) and Jo Lusk (flute). Actors Evan Winet and Gaby Schneider add violin and viola. The set is once again the work of Steve Coleman, whose magical designs exploit the natural beauty of Mill Valley's unique amphitheater in the redwoods. For a special performance on Saturday August 17, the show will move from the stage into the redwood groves. Jody Branham returns as costumer, as does Peter Bradbury as dramaturg. Doyle Ott guides actors on movement; Skylar McMorrow serves as choreographer; J.J. Van Name is text coach; Kim Bromley is producer; and Diane Pickell-Gore is stage manager. Cast: Heather Cherry (Titania), Maggie Del Castillo (understudy), Maya Dostal (Helena), Grisha Driscoll (Demetrius), Allison Eames (Starveling/Mustardseed), James Frankle (Flute), Glenn Havlan (Bottom), Thomas Hutchinson (Snug), Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy (Puck), Helen Kim (Quince), Ofeibia Laud-Darku (Snout/Peaseblossom), Mary Murphy (Cobweb/Amazon), Cassie Nesbit (Hermia), Thomas Peterson (Egeus), Tom Reilly (Oberon), Gaby Schneider (Moth/Oatcake), Marianne Shine (Hippolyta), Zane Speiser (Lysander), Evan Winet (Theseus). The Curtain Theatre, founded in 2000, is dedicated to performing the world’s best plays in one of the Bay Area’s most beautiful settings. Its free outdoor productions in Old Mill Park are designed for first-time viewers as well as long-time theatre buffs. Old Mill Park Amphitheater is behind the Mill Valley Public Library, at 375 Throckmorton Ave. Further information is available at curtaintheatre.org (along with downloadable photos).