A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Where, When, How Much: June 24-July 5, (no show Monday June 29). Patrons should arrive at the park by 7:15 to allow time to make it to play starting point. Show starts at 7:30 sharp. Tickets available at the door or in advance at River Valley Crafts and the Lighthouse on the Green. Tickets $12; $10 Student/Senior; under 12 free; Tuesday, June 30 tickets 2 for 1.

About A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Shakespeare’s enduring comedy features a bevy of star-crossed lovers, both mortal and supernatural, and travels between the world of humans and the enchanted forest of the fairy kingdom. Hermia and Lysander flee Athens when threatened with death for their forbidden love. They are pursued to the forest by Demetrius, Lysander’s rival for Hermia’s love, and Helena, recently spurned by Demetrius. The four lovers experience confusion and misadventure in the forest at the hands of the mischievous fairy Puck and his master, Oberon, king of the fairies, who is himself embroiled in a lovers’ quarrel with his queen, Titania. Meanwhile, Bottom and the Rude Mechanicals rehearse a hilariously inept play for the wedding feast of Theseus, king of Athens. After one wild night in the forest, all is set right, and the play ends with the wedding feast and the Mechanicals’ play.

For Bard in the Barracks’ production, Shakespeare’s setting has been modernized and re-imagined as the posh Athens Springs Golf and Country Club and the adjoining woods.

The uniquely cool feature of this production: The audience will view the action at various locations while following the performers on a short hike through some of the most beautiful settings in the park.

What to Wear: Sturdy and comfortable walking shoes; dress in layers: though days may be warm, evenings can still be cool, especially under the forest canopy.

What to Bring: Umbrella/raincoat if threat of rain; a blanket to sit on. Lawn chairs can be brought if desired, but are not recommended because they will only be practical for the play’s opening and closing scenes and would have to be carried in between. Most of the play is best viewed on foot or sitting on the ground.

Amenities on site: Concession stand offering hot and cold drinks and snacks for sale at intermission. Public washrooms at Odell Park Lodge. Washrooms are some distance from main action of play, so our advice: go before you come.

Our rainy weather policy and procedures: Every effort will be made to avoid cancelling the show. Play will proceed in case of light rain and will only be cancelled in case of significant rain or threat of thunderstorms at show time. Advance tickets purchased for rained-out performances can be used for subsequent shows or returned to point of purchase for refund.

In the case of a performance that is interrupted by rain such that it must be halted, audience members can use their ticket stub to see the show again for free another night (recommended), or can choose to follow the cast to a sheltered indoor location at the park where (should numbers warrant) the remainder of the play will be performed.

In the case of rainouts on the final weekend of the show (Friday July 3 and/or Saturday July 4), an additional rain date performance will take place on Sunday, July 5. Indoor performances at rain venue (Odell Park Lodge) will take place in case of rain on Sunday July 5 and on Saturday July 4 (should numbers warrant).