Lake Zurich middle-schoolers blend Shakespeare comedy with '80s icons

William Shakespeare will meet the 1980s on a Lake Zurich stage this weekend.

Director Jennifer Eberle is bringing Shakespeare, specifically "A Midsummer Night's Dream," to Lake Zurich Middle School South stage for the first time.

But the story setting will move forward in time to the 1980s. The audience will hear Shakespeare dialogue, but also be entertained with fashion and music from that decade.

"It is fun to have that clash of very modern and very old English," Eberle said.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the school, 435 W. Cuba Road. Tickets cost $5 at the door.

"The story line of falling in love, or being in love with the wrong person, is very poignant for them," Eberle said.

Shakespeare's plays are unique in that they can be set in any time period. As a writer, Shakespeare wanted his works to be timeless.

"He dealt with core values of human nature. It does not matter if it was 1495 when it was written, or 2008," she said. "It is all about human nature."

Eberle selected the 1980s as the time period for the play, because she wanted an era kids would find entertaining and parents could relate to. The cast will be costumed as icons from the decade, and the set will have a contemporary design.

Eberle said it has been fun to discuss commonalities between Shakepeare's characters and '80s icons; Theseus and Bruce Springsteen, for example, both represent power but are quiet.

While their parents know these '80s icons, some were a mystery to the kids.

"I got all my '80s info from 'Thirteen Going on 30,'" said Savannah Haeger, who plays Hermia.

"That was pretty much all I knew."

Hermia wants to marry a man, but her father does not like her choice. Thus, the couple takes off for a forest, where magical things happen. Hermia will be dressed as a girl from the movie and TV show "Fame."

"She is the underdog who ends up prevailing in the end, but it takes a lot of work," Savannah said.

Bart Gasiorek plays Oberon, who shares the characteristics of rocker Billy Idol.

"He is somewhat arrogant, powerful, royal -- and comic sometimes," Bart said.

Eden Eszak plays Puck, who shares qualities with Mork from the TV show "Mork and Mindy." She said Puck is the comic relief, clumsy and playing tricks on people.

"I make the chaos," Eden said.

And rapping characters dressed as members of the group Run DMC have been added to narrate the plot.

To help tell the story, clips of 27 songs from the 1980s -- particularly rock ballads -- will play through the show. The show includes Hall and Oates' "Maneater"; "Tainted Love," by Soft Cell; and Twisted Sister's "We're Not Going to Take It."

Bart said when he got the CD with '80s music, his dad burned a copy for himself.

"We are now listening to '80s music all the time," he said.

But Eberle said there still was the challenge to help students take on Shakespeare for the first time, particularly the Bard's language.

And she needed an objective view.

So Eberle brought in Raymond Fox and Anne Fogarty to work with the students.

Fox, who is Eberle's first cousin, has been acting for 25 years. He has performed on stage across the United States and Canada, off and on Broadway, and is an ensemble member of the Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago.

Fogarty is a Chicago-based actor who also teaches drama through Lookingglass in workshops, and in various schools in Chicago.

One thing Fox told the group is there are no unknowns. They know a character will be rejected, and there will be a jerk because it is in the script.

"The stage is one place you never have to be afraid because you know what is going to happen," Fox said.

Bart Gasiorek said it was cool for someone to come show an alternative way to present scenes, and show actors how to project their voices.

"I was fascinated to work with people who are on the stage for a living," Eden Eszak said.

Fox also told the students it is called a play for a reason: it's a play because you are supposed to have fun.

"Shakespeare is not what everyone thinks it is. It is fun. That is what we bring out in this show. It is fun," Bart said.

Cast for "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

The following are cast members in the Lake Zurich Middle School South play, and the 1980s icons that each will characterize:

There are: John Passehl as Theseus (Bruce Springsteen); Haley Barron as Hippolyta (Tina Turner); Jake Gadomski as Egeus (a Wall Street tycoon); Eden Eszak as Puck (Mork from "Mork and Mindy"); and Emma Porter as Philostrate (Cyndi Lauper).

Bart Gasiorek will play the fairy king, Oberon (Billy Idol); and Zan Carroll will play the fairy queen, Titania (Madonna).

The Fairies, who are all portrayed as Madonna wannabes, are: Gabby Munoz as Fairy 1, Karina Smolyar as Peaseblossom, Emma Kolodziej as Cobweb, Emma Wood as Moth and Riley Zobel as Mustardseed.

Among the lovers are: Zach Carlino as Lysander (preppies); Savannah Haeger as Hermia ("Fame"/ "Flashdance" girl); David LaVanne as Demetrius (preppies); and Tara McKee as Helena ("Fame"/ "Flashdance" girl).

Playing the Mechanicals, who resemble the band Devo, are: Michael Venetos as Nick Bottom, Kuba Pelka as Robin Starveling, Carlos Ramirez as Tom Snout, Joey Nolen as Peter Quince, Adam Griffith as Francis Flute and Brian Glatz as Snug.

Playing the Run DMC rapping narrators are Logan Fisher and Matt Trujillo.

Nathan Ihm will play the teacher from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and the MTV astronaut.