(VERNON, Connecticut) – Evergreen Family Theatre is returning to Vernon’s Henry Park this Friday and Saturday to offer a free one-hour family-friendly adaptation of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The troupe of professional actors will stage three performances of what Producing Artistic Director Terry LaCasse describes as “A Musical, Magical romp of clowning and fun” at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, and 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5.
“This is the third summer Evergreen Family Theatre is bringing free Shakespeare performances to our community and I urge everyone to come out and enjoy this show,” Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said. “Arts programs truly enrich our community, and expanding arts offerings is part of my vision for Vernon’s future.”
In 2021 LaCasse and his troupe performed “Henry V” at the Rockville Public Library and in 2022 staged “The Tempest” at Fox Hill Tower at Henry Park.
“Our mission as a company is to provide professional and accessible theater in a community setting at little or no cost,” LaCasse said. “We pull in actors from all over the country to provide performances here in Vernon. The theatre has shaped us and helped us to better understand the world around us. And we want to pass that experience on. Come laugh and turn off those screens!”
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a comedy set in a mythical forest outside of Athens. The story revolves around a tangled web of love affairs and magical mishaps. Two young lovers, Hermia and Lysander, flee to the forest to escape an arranged marriage, while Helena, Hermia’s friend, desperately pursues Demetrius, who is in love with Hermia. Meanwhile, Oberon, the fairy king, and his mischievous servant Puck intervene by using a love potion to create confusion and hilarity. Through mistaken identities, enchantments and comedic misunderstandings, the play explores themes of love, illusion, and the transformative power of imagination.
LaCasse has added a twist to the story. “Imagine what happens when the local plumbers and pipe fitter’s union is charged with telling this complicated tale in only one hour,” he said. “Props, sets, and musical instruments created from plumbing supplies set the stage! It will be a fun, rag-tag production for all ages to enjoy.”
“The production is especially kid-friendly and some children (and parents) will be urged to play different parts and sing along,” LaCasse said.
Bring along chairs or blankets to enjoy the show. Blankets up front, chairs in the back. In the event of rain, the show will be moved to the Rockville High School Auditorium, 70 Loveland Hill Road, Vernon.
Check @EvergreenFamilyTheatreCT on Facebook or Instagram for show and weather updates.
Evergreen Family Theatre is expanding its programming in October with its Sprouts program. The troupe is joining with Arts Center East and the Rockville Public Library to put children’s literacy at the forefront and is staging “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.”