William Shakespeare lived and wrote about 400 years ago. His genius was such that much of his work is still studied and performed today. A Midsummer Night's Dream, a fanciful comedy, is certainly one of the most well known, full of clever dialogue, silly situations and crazy characters. These are a few of the reasons why the Denver Christian High School drama department chose this show for its 2007 fall production.

Directors René Meyer and Wilma Wiersma selected the show last spring when they auditioned students for the fall semester acting class. Sensing that a large number of talented students were interested in drama, they felt they would need a play with a large cast with numerous roles for both males and females. Thus A Midsummer Night's Dream was a good choice, with roles for 28 actors. Additionally, Mrs. Meyer had directed the show 13 years earlier.

The play, set in ancient Athens, pits unknowing and often dim-witted humans against the much more powerful and clever fairies with their magical powers. The leads are Sam Kok playing the mischievous fairy "Puck," Jordan Ham as the arrogant, but soft-hearted King of the fairies, "Oberon" and Shafyer Wayne as the foolish peasant "Bottom." The main plot revolves around a love triangle involving Demetrius ( Matt Newton), who is in love with and betrothed to Hermia ( Jenna Flanders) who in turn loves Lysander ( Jack Wolberg). Meanwhile Helena ( Lauren Wiersma) who loves Demetrius is left out in the cold. A side plot is the "play within the play" where a group of goofy peasants plan a skit for the Duke to celebrate his upcoming marriage to the Queen of the Amazons. Everything gets really complicated when Puck uses a magic potion to turn everything upside down. The potion ensures that the victim will fall in love with the first person they see as they awaken. Suddenly, Lysander and Demetrius are fighting over Helena and Oberon's wife ( Tasha Christy) is infatuated with the peasant Bottom who Puck just happened to turn into a donkey.

The show this fall again features a unique set designed and built by parent Dale Flanders. Debbie Newton and Sue Adams, both mothers of cast members have undertaken the design, sewing and acquisition of costumes. One of the ironies of this silly show is that the ancient Athenians have traditionally been dressed as medieval Europeans. Clearly Shakespeare was having fun in this play on a number of levels.

The cast will perform beginning Thursday November 15 at 7 pm at DC's Event Center on South Pearl Street. They will again perform Friday evening and conclude with a 3 pm matinee on Saturday, November 17. The public is invited and tickets will be available at the door. Additional information is available by calling 303-733-2421 or by visiting DC's website at www.denver-christian.org/HighSchool.