Free Shakespeare in the Park
June 7 – 23, 2019
Thursdays – Sundays at 7:00pm
Willow Street Park
Willow Street Park View on Calendar
The course of true love never did run smooth.
Love is even more complicated when you add magic! While the king and queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania are quarreling, Oberon’s right-hand sprite, Puck, is ready for mischief… and with humans such as the young Athenian lovers running about and the troupe of amateur actors trying to rehearse a play for the Duke’s nuptial day in the middle of the fairy’s forest, it couldn’t be easier. Silicon Valley Shakespeare’s all-female cast presents this family friendly comedy full of whimsy and wonder for FREE in Willow St. Park!
In connection with a new partnership between SVS and Montalvo Arts Center (MAC), a 6:00p.m. performance of Midsummer is also scheduled for July 14th at MAC in Saratoga.
For those of you who would like a more in-depth look at Midsummer, we have this handy Study Guide for your reading enjoyment AND a fun time-lapse video as one of our actresses transforms from human to fairy.
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Cindy Weisberg
Meet the Cast
The course of true love never did run smooth. But this cast is pure silk!
| Oberon | Elizabeth Cox |
| Titania | Sara Trupski |
| Puck | Kristin Hall |
| Bottom | Doll Piccotto |
| Quince | Regina Kohl |
| Snug | Valerie Singer |
| Snout | Patty Reinhart |
| Starveling/Egeus | Merav Berger |
| Flute | Alexandra Teixeira |
| Helena | April Culver |
| Demetrius | Alea Selburn |
| Hermia | Erin Southard |
| Lysander | Ellen Dunphy |
| Theseus | Jennifer Levine |
| Hyppolita/Peaseblossom | Annalisa Tkacheff |
| Philostrate/Cobweb | Valerie Valenzuela |
| Mustardseed | Ellie Schwartz* |
| Violet | Rayne Ryan* |
Meet the Staff
The Masters Behind the Magic…
| DIRECTION | |
| Cindy Weisberg | Director |
| Aaron Weisberg | Assistant Director |
| Valerie Valenzuela | Choreographer |
| Doll Piccotto | Dramaturg |
| PRODUCTION | |
| Charlotte Tani | Production Manager |
| Chrissie Schwanhausser | Stage Manager |
| Skyler Riordan | Assistant Stage Manager |
| SCENIC/TECHNICAL DIRECTION | |
| Lynn Grant | Scenic Designer |
| Kevin Davies | Technical Director |
| Master Carpenter | |
| Set-up/Tear-Down Crew | |
| WARDROBE & HAIR/MAKE-UP | |
| Lisa Claybaugh | Costume Designer |
| Sarah Enzminger | Costume Design Intern |
| Kevin Lu | Wardrobe Crew |
| Melissa Jones | Hair & Make-up Designer |
| ELECTRICS/SOUND/VIDEO | |
| Bob Smay | Lighting Designer |
| Hailey Shapiro | Master Electrician |
| Charlotte Olsen | Lighting Board Operator |
| Charlie Hoyt | Sound Designer |
| Patrick Tisdale | Sound Board Operator |
| PROPERTIES and PUPPETS | |
| Caroline Clark | Properties Designer |
| AUDIENCE SERVICES | |
| Janet Rohrer | Audience Services |
| RUN CREW | |
| Will Meckstroth | Set-Up/Tear-Down Crew |
| Gregory Small | Set-Up/Tear-Down Crew |
| Jake Wolenberg | Set-Up/Tear-Down Crew |
Frequently Asked Questions
About Willow Street Park Productions
What time are the performances?
7pm Thursdays – Sundays
How much are tickets?
Productions at Willow Street Park are FREE to the public, thanks to our generous sponsors.
The actors will pass the hat at the end of each performance for those who can and wish to make a donation. The suggested donation is $10 per adult. Checks can be made out to Silicon Valley Shakespeare.
What is the seating like?
Willow Street Park features a grassy bowl on which to place a blanket or low-backed chair. The lower-center area is blankets-only; low-backed chairs can be used farther up the hill. Chairs over 25 inches high are allowed in the rear and on the sides.
We suggest that you bring your own chairs and blankets, through blankets are available for rent in the concession stand. Those of you in our Donors Circle enjoy free blanket and cushion rentals.
Is the seating reserved?
Seating is not reserved and is available on a first come, first served basis. Feel free to arrive early and claim your seats with a blanket and enjoy a picnic in the park. A special section in the middle is reserved for certain levels of our Donors Circle.
What is the parking situation?
Willow Street Park has a small parking lot, and street parking surrounding the park. Additional parking is available in the neighborhood. Please be considerate of our neighbors when parking.
Public Transportation:
We encourage you to use public transportation. Willow Street Park is near VTA Local Bus Routes 25 and 63 and Express Bus Line 103, and the Virginia Light Rail Station and the Tamien CalTrain Station. See the public transportation schedules.
How long is the performance?
Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
Can I drop my child off at the park and pick up after the show?
Yes. However, Silicon Valley Shakespeare is not responsibile for any unattended children.
Is food available at the show?
We have a concession stand where you can purchase snacks, wine (Willow Street only), water, and cold beverages.
Can we bring a picnic?
Of course! There are several areas in the park to enjoy a picnic before the show.
Are these shows appropriate for children?
We provide entertainment for the entire family, and our free park productions are intended to be family friendly. There is graphic content inherent in many of Shakespeare’s works, so we suggest that parents familiarize yourselves with the play and determine if it is appropriate for your child. We provide a Family Rating system.
What about dogs?
Well socialized dogs on a leash are welcome. Please tend to them as you would in any public setting.
Is Shakespeare in the Park a dress-up affair?
Not at all! We recommend shoes that have good footing so you can comfortably walk to and from the theatre area. The weather can change quickly, so we suggest bringing something warm for later in the evening. Any hats should not obstruct someone else’s view.
Family Rating System
A Midsummer Night’s Dream — Rated E for Everyone
About the Family Rating System
Silicon Valley Shakespeare makes theatrical classics enjoyable and accessible to as wide an audience as possible. Families love to attend our plays, and we’re proud to introduce thousands of young people to the Bard.
To assist parents and guardians in assessing which of our plays are right for their children, our Family Rating System features a general rating for each production followed by a more nuanced recommendation and description of the play’s content.
Our assessment can’t fit every family, so we also provide a link to the actual text of our plays whenever possible so that parents can make their own decision. Our ratings are:
E (Everyone) — Suitable for all ages.
PG (Parental Guidance) — Appropriate for most audiences under 13, but we recommend that parents inform themselves about the content of the play and its themes, and exercise their best judgment for their individual child.
T (Teen) — Might be inappropriate for audiences under 13. Parents of younger children are welcome to attend with their children, but we recommend that they prepare for questions their children might have about some of the more sophisticated and mature content and themes of the play, and its particular presentation.
M (Mature) — Not recommended for audiences under 17.
About very young children: Infants and toddlers are always welcome at our outdoor performances. We’re thrilled to offer newer parents an opportunity to enjoy live theatre! We ask that at least one parent or guardian be prepared to take a break with these tiny theatergoers out of earshot of the theatre space, if they become upset or very vocal.
SPONSORED IN PART BY
Donors Circle
Enjoy ticket discounts, special events, cozy blankets and seat cushions, free beverages, and other great perks. All while you help support SVS – it’s 100% tax-deductible. Become a part of our Donors Circle today!
PRESS & MEDIA
Are you a member of the media? Visit our Media Information to download press releases and production photos for your publication.
