Midsummer's In Mid-Fall

If you're looking for William Shakespeare's well-known productions with drawn-out soliloquies and tragic suicides, think again. It's time to experience a happy ending from this historical playwright. Shocked there's a possibility that he even wrote a romantic comedy? Don't be. If all you know of Shakespeare is gloomy endings, the sparkles, fairies, potions and bright colors galore in the Dallas Theater Center's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream will surely change your opinion of the Bard. The play, which consists of several groups of characters--including Greek royalty, wood fairies and craftsmen--will have audience members rolling with laughter. Hermia, the daughter of Egeus, an Athenian nobleman, is in love with Lysander. Refusing to abide by her father's wishes and marry Demetrius, Hermia escapes into the woods with Lysander. But when Hermia's friend Helena discovers the elopement, she tells Demetrius the plan in hopes that he will forget Hermia and fall in love with her. Demetrius follows the couple into the woods, and all hell breaks loose when Puck, a mischievous forest fairy, casts a love spell that goes horribly wrong, creating an utterly ridiculous but romantic romp. Performances will be held through November 22 at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, 2400 Flora St. Tickets start at $15. Call 214-522-8499 or visit dallastheatercenter.org.
Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Sundays, 2 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m. Starts: Oct. 27. Continues through Nov. 22, 2009