Lincoln Community Theatre Presents Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Speakeasy Style

 

[July 24, 2024] 

Lincoln Community Theatre (LCT) continues its 2024 summer season this week with a 1920’s version of one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Written in the 1590’s, this hilarious play has been entertaining audiences for well over 400 years with its story of mischievous fairies interfering in the lives of humans and battling royalty and hijinks in both human and fairy realms. LCT’s version gets an update to the Roaring Twenties of the last century with flappers and thugs, mob bosses and dolls, and an onstage jazz band. The sumptuous set places the scenes in a Prohibition-era speakeasy called “The Woods” where love potion-spiked cocktails wreak hilarious havoc on fairies and humans alike. This glamorous production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is directed by LCT Board President Sheralyn Bolton.

After decades on stage, this production is Bolton’s directorial debut. However, the idea for a Roaring 20’s jazz club Midsummer Night's Dream has been percolating in her mind for many years. Bolton says that she fell in love with this story and script in high school and always felt it would lend itself to a Prohibition-era retelling. She never dreamed that she would be the one to get to bring that vision to life. Bolton says, “This project is a fantasy come true for me.” She explains that “visually and musically, we draw inspiration from the era’s jazz culture, with dynamic performances, evocative lighting, and period-appropriate costumes that amplify the play’s comedic elements.”

Bolton wants to assure audiences that this adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is fun for all ages. Patrons do not need to love Shakespeare or even understand Shakespearean English very well to enjoy this production. There are enough antics, entanglements, songs, and physical comedy, along with a beautifully designed set and gorgeous costuming, for everyone to enjoy.

The talented cast includes Caitlin Lore as Robin Goodfellow Puck, Derek Radmacher as Oberon the King, Tegan Follis as Queen Titania, Lauren Peabody as Hermia, Zildjian Bolton as Lysander, Grace Mathon as Helena, Hunter McKinney as Demetrius, Derry Dalby as Duke Theseus, Candra Landers as Hippolyta, Paul Crombie as Egeus, Emma Rodgers as Philostrate, Nathan Gaik as Nick Bottom/Pyramus, Colleen Ayars as Peter Quince/Prologue, Zach Chapman as Francis Flute/Thisbe, Andrew Kuhlman as Tom Snout/Wall, Casey Lore as Snug/Lion, Mike Koke as Robin Starveling/Moonshine, Paige Zemsky as Peaseblossom, Charlotte LaForge as Cobweb, Sadie (Sam) Bolton as Moth, Lacy Buss as Mustardseed, Ben Crombie as the Changeling Child, and Thugs Jamie “Nasty Nails Nelson” Voyles, Jeff “The Fixer” Prince, Joshua “Switchblade” Schleich, and Colin “Quick Fingers” Crombie.

The Huntsmen jazz band features musicians Brian “Squawks” Bolton on alto saxophone,
Calob “The Bones” Pluhm on trombone, Johnny “Fats” Stein on bass, and “Sizzlin” Joe Kuhlman on drums.

The crew is staffed by volunteers including Board Liaison: Melissa Cremeens, Set Design: Jeff Prince (Assistant: Devin Vannoy), Music Composer: Brian Bolton, Artistic Design: Lisa Kuhlman, Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Stephanie Zemsky, Costumes: Lisa Kuhlman (Assistant: Cari Hieronymus), Props, Set Dressing: Bev Noble, Sound: Devin Vannoy, Lighting Design: Dave Helm (Assistant: Alaina Bauer), Fight Coordinator: Joshua Schleich, Spotlights: Kambrea McCree, Izzy Lore, Jackson Mathon, Theophilus Holman, Curtain: Ryne Manuel, and Runner: Stephanie Hall.

Performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream are July 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 at 2:00 p.m. on the Dan “Mac” McLaughlin Stage in the Lincoln Community High School auditorium. All tickets are general admission and available at the door, $15 for adults and $10 for students. The box office opens one hour before show time and the theater doors open 30 minutes prior to the show.

Join LCT this weekend for this hilarious and beautifully staged production presented by a passionate and talented local cast, crew, and band!

[Stephanie Hall]