Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, A Midsummer Night's Dream

The Kennedy Center Presents
Shenandoah Shakespeare Express's
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Presented on the Millennium Stage May 6, 2001

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Company History | The Cast | About Shenandoah Shakespeare Express

On Sunday, May 6, 2001, the Kennedy Center was proud to present Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, of Stauton, Virginia, and their presentation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream – William Shakespeare's most magical play.

This show marked the Millennium Stage’s first full-scale performance of one of William Shakespeare's plays.

STUFF THAT HAPPENS DURING THE PLAY

Theseus, the Duke of Athens, plans his marriage to Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. Egeus interrupts to complain that his daughter Hermia has fallen in love with Lysander. Theseus orders Hermia to obey her father and marry Demetrius; otherwise, she will be killed or sent to a nunnery.

Hermia and Lysander plan to escape to the woods, get married, and live off money from Lysander's rich aunt.

Hermia's friend Helena, who does love Demetrius, reveals the plan to him, and he follows Hermia and Lysander into the woods.

In the woods, Oberon, the fairy king, and Titania, his queen, are quarreling over the possession of an infant boy.

Oberon sends Puck to bewitch Titania, so that she will fall in love with the first creature she sees.

Bottom, an Athenian laborer, has come to the woods with his fellow workers to rehearse a play for Theseus and Hippolyta's wedding celebration.

Puck places an ass's head upon Bottom, with whom Titania promptly falls in love.

Oberon commands Puck to bewitch Demetrius so that he falls in love with Helena; Puck, however, mistakes Lysander for Demetrius. Discovering Puck's mistake, Oberon orders him to bewitch Demetrius as originally intended.

Shenandoah Shakespeare

Oberon releases Titania from her infatuation with Bottom. Puck removes the spell from Lysander. Demetrius remains enchanted with Helena. But Egeus still wants Hermia to marry Demetrius, not Lysander.

Coupling and play-going ensue.