BEMIDJI, Minn. (March 23, 2011) — The Bemidji State University theatre program presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a Shakespearean comedy with a steampunk twist, for five performances beginning Friday, April 8, and closing with a matinee performance on Sunday, April 17.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opens Friday, April 8 with a 7:30 p.m. opening curtain, and will be performed Saturday, April 9, and Friday and Saturday, April 15-16, also with 7:30 p.m. opening curtains. The production will close Sunday, April 17 with a 2 p.m. matinee. All performances will be held on the main stage of Bemidji State’s Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex.

A talkback event will be held following the opening-night performance on April 8, where members of the cast and crew will be available to discuss the production and answer questions from the audience.

Bemidji State’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be directed by Patrick Carriere, assistant professor of theater and communication arts. Scenery and lighting are designed by Ellen Jones, assistant professor of theater.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” revolves around the marriage between  Theseus, the Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. It follows the follies of four young Athenian lovers and a group of actors bent on performing in front of the Duke on his wedding day. Both groups venture into the magical forest only to be tricked, enchanted and transformed by the fairies who reside in the forest and are ruled by the powerful king and queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania. Bemidji State’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is set in the Victorian era and stylized with the subculture of steampunk: machines and gadgets of the 19th century imbued with a futuristic sense that adds magic to the Victorian era.

Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for students, children and senior citizens. BSU students are admitted free with a valid student ID. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is intended for a high school or older age audience and contains some adult content.

Tickets are available in the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex box office, located in Bangsberg 101 on the BSU campus. The box office is open from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays; call (218) 755-3935 for more information.

For more information, please contact Patrick Carriere at the Bemidji State University Department of Humanities at (218) 755-3901.