MADISON, NJ —Each year, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey celebrates the summer with its annual Outdoor Stage production and this year, in celebration of the company's 45 th Anniversary, The Shakespeare Theatre will present the world's most well-known and popular comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare at the Greek Theatre on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth's in Convent Station from June 19 through July 22. This replica of an ancient Greek theatre nestled into the hillside of the park-like campus offers a theatrical event unique on the East Coast.

The Shakespeare Theatre's 90-minute version of A Midsummer Night's Dream is appropriate for all ages; for lovers of Shakespeare and for those experiencing Shakespeare for the first time. Patrons are invited to picnic before and during the performance on the lawn overlooking this bucolic setting. Audience members may bring their own food and beverages, or purchase snacks and soft drinks on-site. Patrons can bring a blanket or low beach chair, or rent a stadium seat for $3.00 or a seat cushion for $1.00. Complimentary hand-held fans will be provided courtesy of Air Group Heating and Air Conditioning Co. , while supplies last. Seating is general admission.    The Outdoor Stage is generously sponsored by Bank of America .

A Midsummer Nights Dream runs June 19 through July 22. Performances are Tuesday through Sundays at 8:15 p.m. at The Shakespeare Theatre's Outdoor Stage – the Greek Theatre at the College of St. Elizabeth . All tickets are $30 for adults and teens and $15 for

children under 12. Children under 5 go free. Seating is general admission. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Patrons may also purchase Discount Ticket Packages for additional discounts. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for group discounts.

All ages will delight in the antics of the multitude of fantastical characters that populate the magical forest in Shakespeare's comedy -- from the mischievous spirit Puck, to the whimsical fairies, to the spellbound young lovers, to the hysterical “rude mechanicals” who want to put on a play, to Nick Bottom, the weaver, who wants to perform all the roles.

“In this landmark season, we felt there would be no better play to perform under-the-stars than the most popular play on earth,” said The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte. “For six summers now, we have made it our mission to delight audiences of all ages and to provide the experience of enjoying theatre in this incredibly beautiful and unique natural setting. Based on growing popularity and last year's sell-out performances, we have extended the run of the Outdoor Stage to an unprecedented five weeks in order to accommodate record crowds.”

This family-friendly, 90-minute version of the Bard's most famous comedy is conceived and directed by Shakespeare Theatre resident director Brian B. Crowe , who The Star Ledger called “one of the State's most ingenious directors.”

Featured in the cast of 16 is Vayu O'Donnell as the prankster Puck – “that merry wanderer of the night.” O'Donnell, making his debut appearance with The Shakespeare Theatre, appeared in the films A Beautiful Mind and Suzanne and Sharif . Playing Oberon, King of the Fairy realm, is Alvin Keith who appeared on Broadway in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof . He has also appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Guthrie Theatre, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom , Spunk , Angels in America, Parts 1 & 2 and Blues for an Alabama Sky . Returning for her second Outdoor Stage production in as many years is Maureen Sebastian who plays Titania, Queen of the Fairies who herself succumbs to a magic spell. Sebastian wowed audiences as the lovely and sought-after Bianca in the 2006 Outdoor Stage production of The Taming of the Shrew .

Shakespeare Theatre veteran Benjamin Eakeley plays Demetrius who loves Hermia but is pursued by Helena . Eakeley appeared recently on Broadway as the standby for Anthony, Tobias and The Beadle in the revival of Sweeney Todd . For his work, he received the 2006 New York Drama Critic's Circle Special Citation. He will play Beadle in the upcoming National Tour of Sweeney Todd starring Judy Kaye. Ka-Ling Cheung plays Hermia, Demetrius' true love. Cheung recently appeared in the National Tour of The King and I with Stephanie Powers. Richard Dreher and Kaytie Morris make their Shakespeare Theatre debuts as the other pair of young lovers, Lysander and Helena.

Playing the “Rude Mechanicals” – the band of artisans who are rehearsing a special play for the Duke – are Shakespeare Theatre company members Patrick Toon as Flute, Michael Daly as Nick Bottom, Nathan Kaufman as Snug, Darren Matthias as Peter Quince, Salvatore Cacciato as Robin Starveling and Philip Mutz as Tom Snout.

About the Director

Following his successful 2006 Outdoor Stage hit – The Taming of the Shrew – director Brian B. Crowe takes on Shakespeare's most popular comedy. A Shakespeare Theatre resident director and the company's director of education, Crowe directed the critically acclaimed Main Stage productions of Julius Caesar , Love's Labour's Lost, The Tempest and The Comedy of Errors , and the 1999 world premiere of his original script Wonderland (…and What Was Found There) on the Other Stage. Later this season, he will direct his adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry VI, Parts 1, 2 & 3 , entitled Blood & Roses on the Main Stage. His other directing credits include Red Herring and A Perfect Ganesh at 12 Miles West; The Tempest , Noises Off , the Midwest regional premiere of The Beauty Queen of Leenane and Patient A with The Human Race Theatre Company, where he is currently a resident artist; and productions for Dayton Playhouse and The Act-Up Theatre Festival. He also directed The Human Race educational touring productions of Nevermore , his original piece based on the writings and mysterious death of Edgar Allan Poe, as well as Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream .

Special Performances

The first preview performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream is on Tuesday, June 19 at 8:15 p.m. and offers opportunities for reduced-price or free tickets, as an incentive to first-time theatergoers as well as those who would otherwise not be able to afford a night at the theatre. As always, the first preview performance is Pay What You Wish night -- name your own admission price for that evening's 8:15 preview performance. Offer is subject to availability. Call the box office at 973-408-5600 for details.

For no more than the cost of a regular ticket, Symposium Series performances include the additional treat of a post-play discussion with the cast and artistic staff, on Tuesday, June 26 at 8:15 p.m. and Saturday June 30 at 8:15 p.m.

On Thursday, June 28, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular education program Know the Show . From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., director Brian B. Crowe will present a pre-performance talk that provides background information and an insider's perspective on A Midsummer Night's Dream.

General admission to Know The Show is $5 for the general public, $4 for ticket package holders. Tickets to that evening's 8:15 p.m. performance may be purchased separately for $30 or $15 for children under 12.

The Artistic Staff

Creating the magical Athenian forest on the hillside of Morris County is set designer Richard Block, costume designer C. David Russell and lighting designer Andrew Hungerford. Christine Whalen is production stage manager.

Tickets & General Information

Preview performances of A Midsummer Night's Dream are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday June 19, 20 and 21 at 8:15 p.m. Previews offer the thrill of seeing a work-in-progress before the show officially opens.

Additional performances are Tuesday thru Sunday evenings at 8:15 pm. On Wednesday, July 4 th the performance will be held at 7:15 pm to allow patrons the opportunity view fireworks following the performance.

All tickets are $30 for adults and teens and $15 for children under 12. Children under 5 go free. Seating is general admission. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. Groups of 10 or more save up to 25% off the regular ticket price.

Patrons can save up to 20% off regular ticket prices by purchasing Discount Ticket Packages. Patrons can select six, five or four plays of their choice at discount prices. Ticket Packages also offer additional benefits such as discounts on additional tickets and flexible ticket exchange privileges. Patrons may also select FlexPasses -- discounted vouchers that are redeemed for tickets during the season. To order or for more information call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

The 45 th Anniversary Main Stage Season also includes The Play's The Thing , a farce by Ferenc Molnar (now through July 1); Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare (July 10 – 29); the absurdist comedy The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco (August 7 – 26); the rarely produced, Pulitzer Prize-winning The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan (September 4 – 30); Blood & Roses: Shakespeare's Henry VI adapted by Brian B. Crowe (Oct. 9 – Nov. 11); and the family classic tale The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck; adapted by Bonnie J. Monte (Nov. 27 – December 31).

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Outdoor Stage is located at the Greek Theatre, 2 Convent Rd. at Convent Station – on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth , just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free. For more information , or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

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The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey 's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional major support is received from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the F. M. Kirby Foundation, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, The Shubert Foundation and Drew University , as well as contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals. American Airlines is the official airline of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Crystal Rock Water is the company's official water provider. Barefoot Wine is the official wine provider. The 2007 Outdoor Stage production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is sponsored by Bank of America.

General Information

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Bonnie J. Monte

MAIN STAGE:   OUTDOOR STAGE:

F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre   The Greek Theatre

36 Madison Ave. (at Lancaster Rd. )   2 Convent Road (at Convent Station)

Madison , NJ   Morris Township , NJ

(on the campus of Drew University )   (on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth )

TICKETS & INFO: Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

A Midsummer Night's Dream – Snapshot

Venue: The Greek Theatre, on the Campus of the College of St. Elizabeth , 2 Convent Road , at Convent Station

Performances: Tuesday thru Sundays at 8:15 pm, except July 4 th at 7:15 pm. Call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org

Tickets : $30 for adults; $15 for children under 12; children under 5 go free. Call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org .

Previews: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, June 19, 20, 21 at 8:15 pm

Opening Night: Saturday, June 23 at 8:15 pm

Symposium Performances: Tuesday, June 26 at 8:15 pm; Saturday, June 30 at 8:15 pm

Know The Show: Thursday, June 28 at 7:00 pm

Closing performance: Sunday, July 22 at 8:15 pm