KU News Release

LAWRENCE — “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare will be performed in its original pronunciation at the University of Kansas.

The University Theatre production will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19 and at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 14 and 21 on Stage Too! in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre.

Paul Meier, professor of theatre, is directing the groundbreaking production, the first full-length orignial pronunciation production in North America. Ryan McCall, University Theatre accompanist, is musical director and composer of original music, and Leslie Bennett, assistant professor of theatre, is choreographer.

Delbert Unruh, professor of theatre, is the scenic and lighting designer; Dennis Christilles, associate professor of theatre, is costume designer; and Erin Tomkins, a senior from Lawrence, is sound designer. Meier and noted linguist David Crystal are the dialect coaches.

Written in about 1595 as a light entertainment to accompany a marriage celebration, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” shows how wonderful and silly love can be. The comedy combines three stories: the Athenian lovers Hermia, Helena, Lysander and Demetrius; the rivalry between fairies Titania and Oberon; and the commoners’ production of a play called “Pyramus and Thisbe.” The common thread is this illustration of the ridiculous behavior of lovers of every sort, every creature and every class.

The play provides a magical romp through the forest in which enemies fall in love; an actor becomes an ass and the fairy kingdom battles over an Indian boy. In the end, the fairies find peace, the actors perform their play and the lovers find happiness in a triple wedding ceremony.

“Spells are cast, lovers are fooled and revelry flourishes as worlds collide, exploring timeless themes such as unrequited love, jealousy, forbidden passion and the often-humorous consequences of meddling in the lives of others,” Meier said.

Two KU theatre faculty members are portraying the King and Queen of the Fairies in the production: Bennett as Titania and John Staniunas, associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre, as Oberon.

For each performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a Lawrence couple will be honored guests to be celebrated by the cast. The couples scheduled to be feted are Joy de Maranville and Frank Norman, Nov. 11; Kent and Ricki Comfort, Nov. 12; Michelle Heffner Hayes and Will Katz, Nov. 13; Scott Crique and James Edmonds, Nov. 18; Danny and Kimberly Anderson, Nov. 19; and Kristina Banton and Sean Demare, Nov. 21.

General admission tickets for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” are on sale in the KU ticket offices: University Theatre, 864-3982, and Lied Center, 864-ARTS, and online at kutheatre.com. Seating is limited. Tickets are $18 for the public, $10 for students and $17 for senior citizens and KU faculty and staff.

Members of the cast for the KU production are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, high school and role.

CRAWFORD COUNTY
From Pittsburg 66762
James Teller, junior, theatre, son of Stephen and Nikki Teller, Pittsburg High School, Snug.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa 66216
Ben Sullivan, senior, journalism and theatre, son of Richard and Leslie Sullivan, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Demetrius.

From Merriam 66203
Austin Robinson, senior, theatre and Spanish, son of Sharon Riley and James Robinson, Shawnee Mission North High School, Lysander.

From Overland Park 66212
Margaret Hanzlick, sophomore, theatre and sociology, daughter of Janeé and David Hanzlick, Shawnee Mission South High School, Mustardseed.

From Overland Park 66221
Hailey Lapin, freshman, theatre and journalism, daughter of Shelley and Todd Lapin, Blue Valley Northwest High School, Cobweb.

From Overland Park 66223
Matt Gieschen, senior, theatre, son of Greg and Jennifer Gieschen, Blue Valley West High School, Theseus.

From Shawnee 66217
Claire L. Vowels, junior, theatre, daughter of Phillip Vowels, Kathy Stone and Mark Stone, Shawnee Mission West High School, Hippolyta.

MIAMI COUNTY
From Osawatomie 66064
J.T. Nagle, senior, theatre, son of Donna and Bill Nagle, Paola High School, Puck.

RENO COUNTY
From Hutchinson 67801
Lynsey Becher, junior, theatre, daughter of Pat and Jan Becher, Hutchinson High School, Helena.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604
Jennifer Walker, junior, theatre and dance, daughter of John and Laurie Walker, Topeka High School, Dragonsnap.

From Topeka 66614
Sara Kennedy, freshman, theatre, daughter of Holly Kennedy, Washburn Rural High School, Moth.

Charlie Stock, junior, theatre, son of Mark Stock and Sally Fox, Washburn Rural High School, Tom Snout.

IOWA
From Neola 51559
Troy Clifford Dargin, doctoral student, speech pathology, son of Cathy and Dennis Eckmann and Dennis Dargin, Tri-Center High School, Philostrate.

MISSOURI
From Kansas City 64151
Scott Cox, doctoral student, theatre, Excelsior Springs High School, Nick Bottom.

From Kirkwood 63122
Festus Wade Shaughnessey IV, junior, English, son of Festus and MaryClaire Shaughnessy, Kirkwood Senior High School, Egeus.

From St. Louis 63141
Mary McNulty, senior, theatre/voice, daughter of Patrick and Tina McNulty, St. Joseph’s Academy, Peaseblossom.

NEBRASKA
From Grand Island 68803
Ryan Matthew Lueders, junior, theatre, son of Gary and Doreen Lueders, Grand Island Northwest High School, Francis Flute.

From Lincoln 68502
Sam Voelker, freshman, journalism, son of Bob and Pat Voelker, Lincoln Southeast High School, Robin Starveling.

OKLAHOMA
From Bixby 74008
Garrett Lawson, senior, theatre/voice, son of Desiree Robert and Jett Lawson, Bixby High School, Peter Quince.

From Stillwater 74074
Hannah JoBeth Roark, junior, English, daughter of Joel and Terri Roark, Stillwater High School, Hermia.