Arts and Entertainment

American Shakespeare Center to perform 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' on Nov. 7

Performance offers the beloved classic with a 'supernatural New Orleans twist'

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The American Shakespeare Center (ASC) brings its 2019/20 National Tour to Penn State with the performance of William Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at Eisenhower Auditorium. Sponsored by the Penn State Department of English, admission to this event is free and open to the public.

Every year, ASC assembles a diverse and dazzling collection of artists from all over the country for their National Tour.

“Fans nationwide will love what we’ve done with this play,” said director Nathan Winkelstein. “ASC on Tour gives us the incredible opportunity to present this beloved Shakespeare classic with our own supernatural New Orleans twist.”

The center's production of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" wades into "a bayou of masked hobgoblins, enchanting nymphs, and imps who sing the blues." Featuring the oblivious Bottom, plucky Helena, and mischievous Puck, the play boasts some of Shakespeare’s most beloved and iconic characters.

Original music in this production, drawing inspiration from bluegrass to bebop to barbershop, sets the scene of the magical bayou. ASC’s actor-musicians play live music before the show and during intermission, covering modern classics that riff on the play's themes.

Tickets are available at the Eisenhower Auditorium Box Office, 814-863-0255.

Last Updated October 29, 2019