Shakespeare production by national touring company at Harper this Saturday
A new production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” from National Players, America’s longest running theatrical touring company, will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in the Performing Arts Center at Harper College, Roselle and Algonquin Roads, Palatine.
“We’re doubling the characters as we think it would’ve been done in Shakespeare’s time,” said Kelsey Meiklejohn, an actor, dancer and singer who plays the key role of Puck, the mischievous, quick-witted fairy. “I’m still Puck throughout the whole play, but the audience knows I’m Puck pretending to be a human (Philostrate.)”
Although the role of Puck was written for a man, Meiklejohn played the role in college, which brought her to National Players. “I thought we should bring down the mischief level a bit in my portrayal,” she says. “There’s a lot of sincerity in her.”
Although gods still mix with mortals and a feuding king and queen unleash magical practical jokes on each other amid love spells and unlikely transformations in an enchanted woods, the National Players’ production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will also include a modern twist. The woods glow in neon colors with fairies dancing to pulsating club music.
Founded in 1949, National Players is comprised of young professional actors who travel throughout the country performing two plays in repertory, one Shakespearean play and one dramatic classic. National Players has performed in the East Wing of the White House, in Europe, Asia and the Middle East for American military, and throughout 40 states.
The cast for A Midsummer Night’s Dream includes: Kyle Blair as Bottom/Egeus; Hannah Burkhauser as Hermia/Snug; Jenny Donovan as Helena/Starveling; Chris Egging as Oberon/Theseus; Greg Magee as Lysander/Quince; Kelsey Meiklejohn as Puck/Philostrate; Sam Rabinovitz as Demetrius/Flute; and Bethany Rowe as Titania/Hippolyta.
Tickets are $15 with discounts for Harper students, faculty, staff, other students and seniors. Call (847) 925-6100 or go to harpercollege.edu.