The upcoming production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream? at Goodrich High School is sure to be an ‘all- around? good time for everyone.
When GHS students perform ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream? at 7 p.m. April 29-May 1 and at 2:30 p.m., May 2, history will be made. Not only will this will be the first time for a William Shakespeare play at GHS, but also the first time a GHS production is set in theater in the round. Theater in the round, or globe theater, is when the audience surrounds the stage area. In this case there are 68 seats that will be located right on stage.
‘Shakespeare’s meant to be experienced up close and personal, so that’s how I wanted to do it,? said Director Steve Mitchell. ‘In fact, the entire back section of the auditorium is going to be closed off, leaving a total of 228 available seats, all very close to the action.?
Co-directing the production this year is former Goodrich graduate Laurel Griffiths, who graduated from Kalamazoo College with a bachelors of arts degree in English and theater. ‘It’s going to be a very exciting production,? Griffiths said. ‘We’re setting it in 1959 in a fictional area of California on the Pacific Rim. In 1959 Hawaii joined the union, so the play’s fairies and warriors are going to be Polynesian inspired.?
Also excited about the show is senior castmember Andrew Arsenault? this will be his eighth Goodrich production. ‘I think it is a unique, contemporary take on a classic Shakespeare comedy,? said Arsenault. Arsenault hopes to be involved in productions at Michigan State University next fall. Besides the experienced acting students involved in the play, there are 18 castmembers brand new to theater in the show.
‘I’ve always wanted to produce a Shakespeare play, it’s never been done here at Goodrich and we’re getting as many people involved in this as we would in a musical,? said Mitchell.
‘Most of the time people dislike Shakespeare because it’s hard to understand, but people shouldn’t be afraid of the language. The actor’s intentions tell the story and breathe life to the words.?
Tickets are $7 and due to limited seating, reservations are recommended. Tickets must be picked up a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the show or they’ll be sold. Details: 810-591-2220.