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Listings for summer Shakespeare in Manhattan

 
Saturdays & Sundays, July 19 through August 17, at 5 p.m.
"A Mini-Midsummer Night's Dream" is a one-hour-long, "Family Friendly" version of William Shakespeare's magical comedy about a spirit-haunted forest.  There are the young lovers that run away into the woods; some local amateur actors who rehearse their silly play there, and the fairy spirits that tease and haunt them.  Happily, order is restored, the spirits disappear at dawn, and all return home to enjoy a comical theatrical show back in Athens.

Adapted and directed by Morna Murphy Martell, who annually presents Shakespeare in the Garden where children are invited to join in the play.  Over the past five years, she has presented mini versions of "The Tempest" "Comedy of Errors" and "Twelfth Night" to great success. Last year "A Mini Romeo & Juliet," directed by TV actor Carson Grant, was widely praised.  This year Morna has received public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, for "A Mini-Midsummer Night's Dream."

These shows have been written up by the New York Times, touted on radio stations (CBS-FM, 1010 WINS and WOR-FM), and listed in all local papers (Time Out NY, Back Stage, etc.), and flyers are displayed in NYC Public Libraries.  Parents bring their children who are not only exposed to Shakespeare for the first time, but are also are happily drawn into the play as Fairy Followers.

Cast includes Tony Scheinman as Oberon, Angela Milton as Titania, David Lutzer as Bottome, Ellen Boyce as Helena, Dan Wuerdeman as Lysander, Zelda Knapp as Hermia, Brian Feinberg as Demetrius, Barry Liebmann as Thisbe and Fred Velez as the Duke. Actors are members of the Instant Shakespeare Company that annually presents all Shakespeare's plays at NYC public libraries. (Email: rawshakespeare@yahoo.com)

"A Mini-Midsummer Night's Dream" is presented outdoors in the West Side Community Garden, West 89th Street between Columbus & Amsterdam Avenues.  No admission charge. 

For further information call (212) 245-7498 (DramaTune) or (212) 316-5490 (Garden) or Email dramatune@yahoo.com