OCC Theatre Presents A Midsummer Night's Dream With a Twist

The Department of Theatre Arts will channel the Wild West on October 9–11 and 16–18 when student actors perform a Deadwood-inspired version of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”

Performances will take place in the College’s Drama Lab Studio on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with a final Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. in lieu of the evening performance.

The Shakespearean comedy will be set in the Dakota Territories in 1870 and incorporate Native American lore in a creative re-telling of the timeless classic.

“Years ago, I had this thought of doing A Midsummer Night’s Dream set in the West,” Director and Theatre Arts Instructor Tom Bruno said. “I started doing research on the town of Deadwood and the Lakota tribe, and the pieces just perfectly fell into place.”

The play will feature fun twists on the traditional storyline such as reimagining “The Palace” as a saloon, and Amazonian queen Hippolyta as the leader of a female review.

Campus parking is free on weekends and theatre-goers are encouraged to park in Lots C or D off Fairview Road and Arlington Way. Presale tickets for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” are $10 and can be purchased by calling (714) 432-5880. Tickets also are available at the door for $12.