The Oswego Players will bring Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” to life this spring at the Frances Marion Brown Theatre. Full of rich characters portrayed by talented cast members, the production marks the first time in its 87-year history the Players will mount one of Shakespeare’s works.
One of The Bard’s most popular and widely performed plays, “Midsummer” is set in Athens, Greece and consists of numerous subplots that revolve around the marriage of King Theseus and Queen Hippolyta. One involves a conflict among four teenage Athenian lovers. Another follows a group of six amateur actors rehearsing the play they are to perform before the wedding. Both groups find themselves in a forest inhabited by fairies who manipulate them as part of their own domestic intrigue.
One of the young Athenian lovers, Demetrius, is portrayed by Nolan Callahan. Nolan returns to the Frances Marion Brown Stage after a long absence. “I can’t express enough how excited and grateful I am to be taking part in a full theatrical production after an extended time away from the stage. Joining the Players for this show, specifically, and seeing many familiar faces, I feel something of a return to form. I haven’t spent much time at all in the Francis Marion Brown since my earliest years where I performed with the Children’s Theatre, and I’ve found that in many ways, always for the better, the spirit and community have both changed and remained very much the same.”
Shy Sims, a new actress to the Oswego Players, is thrilled to get the chance to play Helena in this production. “I am truly honored to be a part of the Oswego Players’ first Shakespeare production in 87 years! Helena is a multifaceted character, driven by her unrequited love for Demetrius. Playing Helena demands navigating her emotional extremes—her comedic self-doubt and the raw sincerity of her love. My goal is to bring her complexities to life and deliver a performance that resonates with the audience, leaving them with a memorable experience.”
Cindy Robbins, another new face in the “Midsummer” cast, is excited to be Hermia. Cindy said, “I like to yell and I get to yell in this play.”Andrea Brizzi, who portrays Lysander, believes the play is great opportunity for her to play something totally different as an actor. “I’m really excited about the show because I never get to play characters that are first, an earnest romantic lead and secondly a man. It’s challenging for sure, but it’s going to look great on my résumé. It’s also pretty cool to be part of the first Shakespeare done with the Players. Hopefully it sets a trend and they can do more full length works in the future.”
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is presented along with a remount of last year’s sellout smash hit, “The Arkansaw Bear”, by Aurand Harris – a moving 45-minute fantasy/drama in which a young girl must learn to deal with loss and how to let go of someone she loves. Director Norman Berlin, III has chosen to pair the two works because of their similar fantastical elements.
Performance dates for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Arkansaw Bear” are Friday evenings, April 25th and May 2nd at 7:30 PM, with matinee performances on April 26th, April 27th, May 3rd and May 4that 2:00 PM.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students. Tickets for A “Midsummer Night’s Dream”&“The Arkansaw Bear” are available for purchase at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/6782a9f98be0090f6c3a5ccc/. Tickets can also be purchased by clicking the ticket button on oswegoplayers.org or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.
This project is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program, thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the NYS Legislature, the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
“The Arkansaw Bear” is presented by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.
Four lovers fight for true love in the Oswego Players production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” From left to right: Shy Sims, Nolan Callahan, Stephanie Johnson as a tree, Andrea Brizzi, and Cindy Robbins. Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students. Tickets are available at https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/oswego-players-inc/6782a9f98be0090f6c3a5ccc/. Tickets can also be purchased by clicking the ticket button on oswegoplayers.org, or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.