Glenbard West Theatre's 'Midsummer Jersey' sets Shakespeare comedy on the boardwalk
Glenbard West Theatre will present its fall comedy, "Midsummer Jersey," by Ken Ludwig. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 21 and 22, as well as 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd. in Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $8 and available at www.glenbardwesths.org/glenbard-west-theatre/.
A hilarious high-octane retelling of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" set on the boardwalk of a seaside town in modern-day New Jersey. The story revolves around the impending marriage of the governor of New Jersey, the love affairs of four beach-bound teenagers, a lively crew of fairies and the staff of the local beauty salon. The night takes a magical turn when Oberon and Puck use a powerful love potion. With several weddings and the acting careers of six beauticians hanging in the balance, we see "the course of true love never did run smooth."
The cast includes Charlie Lettenberger, Cooper Garland, Kamari Spencer, Stella Garland, Katherine Schlueter, Daniel Smith, Kira Campagna, Henry King, Jalen Peoples, Deepa Phuyal, Emma Wargin, Vivienne Winter, Bella DiCosola, Autumn White, Isaiah Beloso, Eliana Williamson, Max Southwell, Alexa Dutca, Devon Kelleher, Kayla Casey, Hannah Roberts, Hailey Weaver, Grace Bertrand, Leila Salvidas, Samantha Lavin, Henry Tatarunas, Josh Brooks and Azul Alejandre.
The business crew includes Katie Rath, Kalee Shah, Ida Canzano, Eishaal Sodager, Katie McAlpine, Olivia Pauer, Diora Kutrolli, Gabriella Knapp, Maggie Frigo, Veronica Madel, Lilly Hammerquist, Elena Zjalic, Jeorge Krecioch, Charles Grogan, Sienna Heintz, Maddie Turner and Emily Overtoom.
The technical crew includes Meghan Andres, Jackie Houghtaling, Sean Carlin, Casey Sury, Luna Serna, Gibson Asselmeier, Spencer Koerner, Mallory Nikols, Edie Luper, Madi Storm, Elle Flanagan, Shae Panek, Allion Penley, Emma Smith, Kailey Szuba, Kristin Vogel, Leo Perone, Blake Noble, Charlie Cage, Cynthia Martinez, Charlie Van Ek, Amy Tran, Molly Creech, Helena Kamenica, Maritza Munoz, Annika Bhagwakar, Joseph Demarco, Rahma Syed, Graham Van Ek, Amanda Broch, Thomas Weurtzer, Ava Garzaro, Owen Rees and Vanessa Munoz.
The play is directed by Michael Fox. The technical director is Bruce Medic, and business director is Jacob Kelleher. Student leaders include student director Taylor Gottsman, student business director Maggie Fischer, student technical directors David Weurtzer and Andrew Estes, stage manager Ayda Nouman and assistant stage manager Abbie Herbold.
The Glenbard West Theatre season will continue with the winter drama, "A Doll's House" on Jan. 27-29, and the spring musical "Little Women" April 21-23, with the Black Box New Play Festival on Jan. 20-22.