For the first time in its 87-year history, the Oswego Players will be performing a play written by William Shakespeare. An abridged all-ages production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the Bard’s classic comedy about young lovers in a magical forest, will be paired as part of a double-feature alongside Aurand Harris’s profound folktale “The Arkansaw Bear.”
“You may be wondering how history’s most celebrated playwright eluded the Players,” says director and Players Historian Norman Berlin III. “There’s been many attempts over the years to bring Shakespeare to our stage, but all have been thwarted primarily due to the belief the language was too complex. This shorter, leaner version of Midsummer solves that problem, and our incredible cast includes people as young as eight and as old as eighty.”
“The Shakespearean language trips off the actor’s tongues, like sweet honey,” says assistant director Stephanie Johnson, who will also be playing the role of the Bear in the evening’s prologue. “The play is flavored with notes of sharp, clever wit that keeps up with today’s humor. The cast is a beautiful mix of talented actors that effortlessly bring the accessibility of Shakespeare’s text to audiences of all ages, regardless of their knowledge of his works.”
Both plays will be presented together at Marion Brown Theater at 7:00 p.m. on April 25th, May 2nd, and 2:00 p.m. matinees on April 26th, 27th, May 3rd and 4th. Tickets are $17 for adults, $13 for seniors and $12 for students. Patrons are highly encouraged to order tickets now at oswegoplayers.org/productions or by calling the theatre’s box office at (315) 343-5138.
“As sunshine finds its way back into our days,” continues Johnson, “I am so happy that Oswego Players is able to offer for the first time, some of Shakespeare’s silliest for your viewing enjoyment. What an honor to be a part of such a culturally rich and timeless tale of mistaken identities and dramatic lovers, complete with fantastic fairies and fools.”
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.
Stephanie Johnson teaches Norman Berlin about the glorious language of the Bard in preparation for the Oswego Players upcoming performance of William Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Performances will be held at Marion Brown Theater at 7:00 p.m. on April 25th, and May 2nd, and 2:00 p.m. matinees on April 26th, 27th, May 3rd and 4th. 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.
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