Lean & Hungry Theater, DC’s only radio drama company, and Washington DC’s NPR affiliate WAMU-88.5, present this special live-to-air broadcast of Shakespeare’s classic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The one-hour production was broadcast live from the Woods-Brown Amphitheatre on the grounds of American University in June, 2011.
The cast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” includes artists who have appeared with or taught at The Folger Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, The Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, The Washington Shakespeare Company, Studio Theatre, and other local and national companies.
Set in the Prohibition Era, Lean & Hungry’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” recasts Shakespeare’s classic characters as gangsters and molls, with most of the action taking place in and around the Palace Hotel. The story of bewitched young lovers, vengeful gods and slapstick workers creates a world of magic and transformation – with a hilarious “play-within-a-play” climax.
“The story of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is a staple of English and Theatre education, and part of the required reading list for many public schools,” explained Jessica Hansen, Lean & Hungry’s Artistic Director. “We welcome public radio’s listening families to join us for a mix of classic theatre and classic radio they can’t find anywhere else.”“By placing our production in a more contemporary setting with modern-day sound effects, we’re offering an easy-to-understand perspective for today’s young audiences,” Hansen added. “Modern-language narration provides an ongoing recap of the original text throughout the show. It’s a great way to introduce new audiences to this wonderful play.”
Lean & Hungry Theater is the only company in the Washington, DC metropolitan area dedicated to adapting works of Shakespeare and other classic playwrights for radio broadcast.
The productions and recordings of Lean & Hungry Theater productions are endorsed by the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.
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Piece Description
Lean & Hungry Theater, DC’s only radio drama company, and Washington DC’s NPR affiliate WAMU-88.5, present this special live-to-air broadcast of Shakespeare’s classic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The one-hour production was broadcast live from the Woods-Brown Amphitheatre on the grounds of American University in June, 2011.
The cast of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” includes artists who have appeared with or taught at The Folger Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, The Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, The Washington Shakespeare Company, Studio Theatre, and other local and national companies.
Set in the Prohibition Era, Lean & Hungry’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” recasts Shakespeare’s classic characters as gangsters and molls, with most of the action taking place in and around the Palace Hotel. The story of bewitched young lovers, vengeful gods and slapstick workers creates a world of magic and transformation – with a hilarious “play-within-a-play” climax.
“The story of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is a staple of English and Theatre education, and part of the required reading list for many public schools,” explained Jessica Hansen, Lean & Hungry’s Artistic Director. “We welcome public radio’s listening families to join us for a mix of classic theatre and classic radio they can’t find anywhere else.”“By placing our production in a more contemporary setting with modern-day sound effects, we’re offering an easy-to-understand perspective for today’s young audiences,” Hansen added. “Modern-language narration provides an ongoing recap of the original text throughout the show. It’s a great way to introduce new audiences to this wonderful play.”
Lean & Hungry Theater is the only company in the Washington, DC metropolitan area dedicated to adapting works of Shakespeare and other classic playwrights for radio broadcast.
The productions and recordings of Lean & Hungry Theater productions are endorsed by the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind.
Broadcast History
WAMU 88-5, first broadcast June 26, 2011 as a live-to-air remote broadcast
Additional Credits
Director Hannah Todd, Technical Director Gregg Martin, Artistic Director Jessica Hansen, Managing Director Alex Zavistovich
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