STATE COLLEGE — Four State College performing arts establishments will present a unique retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in concert Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. at State College Area High School Performing Arts Center, 650 Westerly Parkway, State College.
The Nittany Valley Symphony, conducted by Timothy Farrand, is joined by Ann Van Kuren, the choreographer and Artistic Director of VanDance Inc, Cynthia Mazzant, Artistic Director of Tempest Productions, and Erik Clayton, Director of the State College Area High School Chorus to bring to life this magical retelling of Shakespeare’s tale.
With Felix Mendelssohn’s radiant score as its centerpiece, this performance blends together music, dance, and theatre in an original adaptation of Shakespeare’s beloved play. The ageless story of young love and longing, in a place where the veil blurs the worlds of
day and night, reality and dreams, brings together onstage professional musicians, dancers, and actors.
They are joined by the State College Area High School Chorus, two soprano soloists from Penn State, and an intergenerational community cast of players.
Cynthia Mazzant, while adapting the script, states, “I see this as a beautiful collage that flows between the lovely intricacies of Mendelssohn’s music, enchanting dance sequences, and the spirited storytelling of the players.”
Timothy Farrand is thrilled to partner with so many exceptional local arts organizations on this project. He feels “we are creating a version that bridges the gap between the theater and the concert hall.”
Ann Van Kuren originally applied for a Field-of-Interest grant through the Centre Foundation because she “envisioned bringing audiences and community members together through dance and music, and the storytelling engagement of those forms. This work allows the three art forms to support and play off of each other. Each will touch the audience in a lovely way!”
VanDance Inc. has also received support from Galaxy, the Arts in Education Program of CIU10.
Advance student tickets are $5 and adults are $25, available at https://www.nvs.org/concerts/midsummer-nights-dream-concert.
