Jordan Scott as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Center for the Arts will present the classic Shakespeare play A Midsummer Night’s Dream with an Art Deco twist, running through Nov. 11.
The Center’s version moves up the timetables to the roaring ’20s, complete with cast members heading to the speakeasy to dance the Charleston.
“I’m excited to bring this new take on Shakespeare to Murfreesboro,” said Patience Long, Center for the Arts Executive Director. “The directors, Connie and George Downer, are well versed in Shakespeare and have worked very hard to make this show relatable to today’s audience.”
The Downers were introduced to the Center when their son enrolled in its Center Stage Academy Performing Arts Class. Since then, George has been cast in several shows including The Little Shop of Horrors and A Christmas Carol, taking on the lead role Ebenezer Scrooge.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a fantasy comedy written in 1595. The overarching theme of the show is the transformational power of love.
Benjamin Hansen as Demetrius, Aurora Boe as Helena, Jordan Scott as Puck, Rachel Hortert as Hermia and Sam Downer as Lysander
“We chose to set this play in the 1920s because of the transformative processes America was experiencing at the time. It was a time of transformation in art, music and fashion. A time when society’s norms were transforming, particularly the role of women in society,” Connie Downer said.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream features women pushing boundaries and the men who love them in spite of it all with characters such as Helena steadfastly pursuing her love against all the odds, Hermia defying her father to be with the man she chooses, Hippolyta retaining her independence within her relationship with the Duke, and Titania going head to head in battle against her powerful husband.
This production features a mixture of both familiar and new faces to the Center for the Arts stage. Among the cast are Rachel Hortert (Hermia), Sam Downer (Lysander), Aurora Boe (Helena), Benjamin Hansen (Demetrius) who play the four lovers of the royals. Adam Boe (Oberon) and Valerie Conover (Titania) play the King and Queen of the faeries with Jordan Scott (Puck) as their main faeire assistant. CFTA veteran Dakota Green (Bottom) is among the mechanicals (a theater troupe), comprised of Chris Gurley (Quince), Jordan Taylor (Flute), Stephen Turner (Starveling), Sam House (Snug), and Cameron Anteski (Snout). Rebekah Thoe (Hippolyta), Ryan Green (Duke Theseus), Eric Massengill (Egeus) and Carol Clarke (Philostrate) make up the remaining royals.
Valerie Conover as Titania and Adam Boe as Oberon
This production is rated PG-13. A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs Nov. 2–11 with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays; Saturday, Nov. 10, will also have a matinee at 2 p.m.
The Center for the Arts is located at 110 W. College St., Murfreesboro. For tickets or more information, visit boroarts.org.
