From Staff Reports 

The Montford Park Players, an Asheville theatrical tradition, will offer its production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” from May 28 through June 19 — at 7:30 p.m. 

on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 

All performances will be held at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre at 92 Gay Street in the heart of Asheville’s historic Montford District.

“As per Gov. (Roy) Cooper’s current dictates, Montford Park Players will keep its audiences at 50 percent capacity, socially distanced and masked as appropriate,”an MPP press release  noted. “In order to keep it safe, only those with tickets will be allowed at each performance. Tickets are available at montfordparkplayers.org and are, as always, FREE.”

“‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is always Montford Park Players’ biggest draw, whenever it is presented,” the release added.

“This tale of feuding fairies, inept actors and baffled lovers never fails to please. Although written in 1595, ‘Midsummer’s’ bawdy humor and screwball hijinks never fail to engage any crowd and delight all who see it.”

Director Hannah Williams was quoted in the release as saying, “This play is recognizable by most everyone, whether you like Shakespeare or not — and it’s remained as popular as it is for a reason! The text of this play is very accessible, and when doing a production of it, there are no rules.”

Williams said that “the design will live somewhere in the space between a rock show and a giant jungle gym. I’m really excited to explore the physicality of it,” she said. “Since we thankfully have so many COVID protocols in place for this production, masks and distancing will find their way into the work. The movement of physicality of it will be stylized according to every actor’s comfort level.”

The release added, “A stellar cast has been assembled for this production, with a lot of faces new to the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre.” This includes Jonathan Robinson, Tasha Davis, Sydney Lyles, Helen Miller, Liz Mason, Bradley Langan, Noah Summers, Jayden Parton, among others.

In addition to directing, Williams will be assisting Noah Summers with the sets and costumes, while Jason Williams will “lend his capable hands” to the lighting design. Scott Williams will take on the sound design, the release noted.