A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Middle School

“It takes love and turns it into magic.”  What better way to describe the eternally popular A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this year’s Montclair Kimberley Academy Seventh Grade Shakespeare presentation.

This psychedelic production promises to be one of the most colorful and entertaining yet - set in the l960’s, it features an original score performed by a student pit band, a complex set complete with surprises, and remarkable student performances including five “Hippy” Pucks.  The production, directed by artist-in-residence Christian Ely, is the culmination of a special eight-week schedule that immerses students in study of the language, literature and history of Elizabethan England, as well as involving the entire grade in all aspects of theatre craft both on and off stage.

This year’s play, the thirteenth in the history of the MKA Middle School Shakespeare Project, is receiving glowing pre-production reviews from the cast and crew:  “It’s amazing how much you can connect to it,” explains Madeline Colbert, (the author of the opening quote).  “You can put the play in any setting and it’s still a great story.”  “It’s really funny,” concurs classmate Kelsey O’Connor, “It takes love and twists it around and makes it so ridiculous that you couldn’t make it up, yet it’s really cool how it all hangs together.”

Members of the public are invited to attend performances on Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the MKA Middle School Auditorium, 201 Valley Road, Montclair.  Ticket prices are $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and students.