Shea Presents: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Friday, March 29, 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm
Embark on a transformative journey with the Montague Shakespeare Festival as we present ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, directed by the celebrated Fiona Ross of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the United Kingdom!

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I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream—past the wit
of man to say what dream it was…
(Bottom, Act 4 Scene 1)

Dare to dream with us in a world beyond the wit of man. Join us for a journey into the extraordinary—where dreams and reality collide in our dystopian setting of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’

Under the brilliant direction of Fiona Ross, a renowned practitioner with over two decades of experience at the Royal Shakespeare Company, this production is set to be an immersive experience that will challenge and expand your perception of Shakespeare’s classic play.

In a dark and fragmented future, Shakespeare’s enchanting tale is reimagined in our dystopian vision of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ Our adaptation strips the original down to its core, creating a raw and intense experience that mirrors the chaos of a crumbling world.

Love becomes an act of rebellion, and laughter is a beacon of resilience in a world overshadowed by tyranny. Witness Athens transformed, where the union of Theseus and Hippolyta heralds a consolidation of power, not a celebration of love. Journey with our lovers, who embody the struggle against an oppressive family and regime, their quest for love mirroring the fight for freedom in a world that grants little or none.

Venture into a toxic wasteland where mutated fairies reign, reflecting nature’s wrath against human folly. Here, Oberon and Titania’s conflict transcends personal strife, echoing the more significant battle for control in a crumbling society. Find solace in the resilience of the Mechanicals, whose comedic endeavors shine as a testament to the enduring human spirit, even in the darkest times.

Join us for a night that mirrors our own world’s struggles and triumphs. Where shadows illuminate truths, laughter liberates, and dreams dare to defy the darkness. This isn’t just Shakespeare—it’s an invitation to witness the enduring power of love and resistance.

Reserve your journey into this transformative event. Be part of the dream that dares to defy the darkness.

Join Us at the Shea Theater Arts Center

Performances will be held on March 29 and 30 and April 5 and 6 at 7:30 PM.

Matinee performance will be held on SUN. APR 7, AT 2:00PM

Book your passage to this extraordinary world and rediscover ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as an exploration of universal themes within a theatrical globe.

Tickets are available on the Shea website and at the box office on the evening of the show beginning one hour before the start of the show.

*For group bookings and inquiries, please reach out to
info@montagueshakespearefestival.com

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Underwriters

Australis Aquaculture • Artisan Beverage Cooperative • Benjamin Company • Berkshire Brewing Company • Cohn and Company Real Estate Agency • Community Credit • Common Capital • Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts • Connecticut River Internists • Dean's Beans • Easthampton Savings Bank • FirstLight GDF Suezna • Gill Tavern • Goff Media • Great Falls Harvest • Green River Festival • Greenfield Community College • Greenfield Cooperative Bank • Greenfield Savings Bank • Loot • Massachusetts Cultural Council • Montague Bookmill Montague WebWorks • Northeast Solar • People's Pint • Rainmaker Consulting • The Rendezvous • Solar Store of Greenfield • Stobierski and Connor • Told Video • True North Transit • Turn It Up

Exciting News for A Happening IV: Leviathan

Cloudgaze and Eggtooth Productions are thrilled to announce that we have received a generous grant from the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice to support our 2024 Immersive Arts Festival, “A Happening IV: Leviathan.”

This festival will transform the Shea Theater into an exploration of theme, hosting installations, music, theatrical performances, and movement pieces, featuring the collective contributions of over 30 local artists. Audiences will experience otherworldly environments and narratives inspired by folklore, fairy tales, horror motifs, American literature, and the mythos of the Old Testament, all of which delve into the central question guiding the festival: "What does it mean to encounter something greater than yourself and to be consumed by it?" Through this theme, we explore how a community reemerges and imagines itself after destruction and transformation.

With the support of the Markham-Nathan Fund, we are excited to create an event that complicates perspectives and fosters meaningful dialogue. We are grateful for this partnership and for the work of the Markham-Nathan Fund for Social Justice.

Thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year.We'd also like to thank the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their support in the form of a Flexible Funding grant. We couldn't do this work without you!