BABES WITH BLADES THEATRE COMPANY’S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, OCT. 16 – NOV. 23

CHICAGO – Babes With Blades Theatre Company’s (BWBTC) announces tickets are now on sale for one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, October 16 – November 23 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, directed by Lauren Katz with fight direction by Ensemble Member Jillian Leff. 

“Babes With Blades Theatre Company has never shied away from taking artistic risks or making bold statements with our productions,” states Artistic Director Hayley Rice. “Our biennial Shakespeare productions allow us to merge our values with familiar stories which hopefully offer new perspectives. While our show celebrates love and desire in its many forms, there are a few ‘Babes With Blades style’ twists to keep our audiences on their toes.”

Four Athenians run away to the forest in the name of love, reciprocated and otherwise, and unknowingly find themselves in the crossfire of a war between the king and queen of the fairies. In the midst of this conflict, local workers are attempting to rehearse a play to celebrate the upcoming nuptial of Duke Theseus to Queen Hippolyta. All the while, the mischievous Puck is guiding events and creating chaos for fae and mortals alike. “These characters all come up against their deepest desires – whether or not it’s intended, and as we move through the play, we start to realize there’s a fine line between dream and nightmare,” said Director Lauren Katz. “When all bets are off and our world is turned on its head, there’s no telling what may happen.”

The ensemble cast of 13 artists includes, in alphabetical order;  Whitney Ann Bates (they/them; U/S Helena/Snout/Snug), Christine Chang (they/she; U/S Lysander/Flute), Cat Evans (they/she/he; Hermia) Jessica Goforth (she/her; Starveling/U/S Demetrius); Jalyn Green (they/she; Theseus/Titania), Cee Scallen (they/them; Flute), Sarah Scanlon (she/her; Bottom), Logan UhiwaiO’Alohamailani Rasmussen (she/her; Snug/U/S Bottom); Patty Roache (they/them; Helena) joined by BWBTC ensemble members Kim Fukawa (she/her; Demetrius), Jennifer Mohr (she/her; U/S Hermia / Quince), Izis Mollinedo (they/them; Lysander), Morgan Manasa (she/her; Quince), Hazel Monson (she/her; Egeus/Puck), Lauren Paige (she/her; Snout /U/S Oberon) and Hayley Rice (she/her; Oberon).

The production team includes, in alphabetical order,  Esau Andaleon (he/him; stage manager), Sydney René Cox (she/her; intimacy choreographer), Mikayla De Guzman (she/her; asst. stage manager), Hannah Foerschler (she/her; sound design), Rose Hamill (she/her; production manager), Vicki Jablonski (she/her; costume design), Lauren Katz (she/her; director), Marcus Klein (he/him; scenic designer), Persephone Lawrence (she/they; props design), Jen Pan (she/they; fight week educator), Payton Shearn (she/they; production asst.), Laura J. Wiley (she/her; lighting design) along with BWBTC ensemble members Line Bower (they/them; technical director), Carrie Hardin (she/her; text coach), Madison Hill (they/them; asst. fight choreographer), Kelsey Kovacevich (she/her; asst. director) and Jillian Leff (she/her; fight choreographer).

Previews are Wednesday, Oct, 16 – Friday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. with select performances available for streaming. Tickets are $28 – $35 and are now on sale at BabesWithBlades.org.  For more information on cast and creative team,  accessibility performances visit BabesWithBlades.org