Hereford High School is presenting Shakespeare with a twist when students perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Nov. 12 and 14 at 7 p.m.

The dialogue was written about 400 years ago, but the setting is only 40 years old.

The action in Hereford’s production takes place at Woodstock, a three-day outdoor musical festival held on a New York farm in 1969.

“We’re not messing with Shakespeare’s language, but we have cool hippie costumes, neat music and a different kind of set,” said Hereford senior Chrissy Yates, who is a student director along with senior Adam Ziegel. “Everybody was really excited when we heard it was taking place at Woodstock.”

Chris Rose, the play’s director and Hereford High School theater arts teacher, said he came up with the idea after seeing the movie “Taking Woodstock,” and realized the movie and the play share many elements.

“In the movie, they rent their barn out to a bunch of actors, and in the play, actors rehearse in the woods,” Rose said. “And I think of Shakespeare’s fairies in the woods as kind of hippies.”

He said the production’s music includes songs by Jefferson Airplane, Joan Baez and Crosby, Still and Nash.

Shakespeare’s comedy features four young lovers who find their way into woods inhabited by fairies ruled by a king and queen. Patrick Durkin, a senior, plays Oberon, king of the fairies.

“I’ve never done Shakespeare before and I’m daunted by the volume of lines, but at the same time, it’s enjoyable,” Durkin said. “Oberon is the king of the woodlands and he’s kind of a rock star.”

Since the play is being held two nights, two students play many of the lead roles, with each taking the stage for one performance. 

Sophie Hess and Jessica Kim play Helena, one of the two women in love.

“Helena could be a student here at Hereford today. She over-thinks everything. She is in love, but hyper-analyzes all the time,” Hess said. “Once you know what Shakespeare’s words mean, they roll off your tongue. It’s poetry.”

Hillary Deweese, who along with Maggie Schmidt plays the mischievous Puck, said she thinks of him as Peter Pan.

“He’s the reason all the conflict happens,” she said, noting that her costume sports a big peace sign.
Also appearing in the play are Jimmy Middleton as Theseus, Katie Dreyer and Michelle de Groot as both Hippolyta and Titania, Ian Mazzone-Baer as Egeus, Kelly Meeder and Harriette Dunn-Feliz as Hermia, Hudson Imhoff as Lysander and Greg Kufera as Demetrius.

Also, Brian Fassio and Will Meister as Nick Bottom and as Snug, Libby Burgess as Penelope Quince, Patrick Kearns as Francis Flute, Sarah Warren as Robin Starveling, Maeve Goldstein as Tabitha Snout and Scif Friese as Philostrate.

The fairies include Kelly Meeder, Harriette Dunn-Feliz, Jessica Kim, Sophie Hess, Hillary Deweese, Maggie Schmidt, Molly Willie, Elise Musciano, Natalie Fitzgerald, Sarah Miller, Ashley Pruitt and Susan Jacobs.

Centaurs are played by Todd Johnston and Joe Wixted, and Emily Mignini plays Titania’s fairy.
Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. To reserve tickets, go to www.herefordtheatre.org.

Hereford High School is located at 17301 York Road.

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