BHS Students To Have 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' This Weekend

Despite hectic schedules, the cold and flu season and even , the show will go on this weekend in Batavia.

Toni Hix, guest director for student performance of William Shakespeare’s magical comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” is ready for curtain call.

“With schedules being hit-or-miss because of illnesses or other activities and then the blizzard, it’s been quite a daunting task,” Hix said. “But working with students is always an incredible experience.”

Hix is also the artistic director of the Midsummer Theater Troupe, which puts on outdoor performances of Shakespeare's comedies every summer throughout the suburbs.

This weekend's production combines characters from three different worlds, according to a press release. The Royals at Court: Duke Theseus, his betrothed Hippolyta and the master of the revels.  There's also complicated relationship web involving characters Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius, also in love with Hermia, and her father’s choice, and Helena, who is in love with Demetrius.

Hoping to perform a play for the Duke’s wedding are six hardworking tradesmen. When all enter the moonlit forest, chaos ensues because Titania, Queen of the Fairies, and Oberon, her King, are at war. Add the mischievous Puck, love potions and mistaken identities for a comedy sure to entertain, according to the release.

Hix invites the public to come and see if all the midsummer madness can be resolved. She enjoys sharing her passion for William Shakespeare with the students.

“I love interpreting Shakespeare and when the kids get it, it’s really exciting,” she said.

Students Bond Over Bard

The students look forward to taking the stage this weekend.

“I like that we get a chance to perform Shakespeare,” said Johnny Scheuneman, 17, playing the tradesman known as Bottom. “It’s not an opportunity a lot of highschoolers get.”

“I love theater,” said Jordan Morgan, 15, who plays one of Titania's fairies. “I want to do it for the rest of my life.”

Fellow fairy Mary Alcott, 16, has performed in several of the high school’s past productions. She enjoyed taking direction from Hix.

“She made Shakespeare a lot easier to understand,” Alcott said.

Doug Burrichter, 18, has performed in seven of the high school’s productions over the years. He is Demetrius for this weekend's production of the comedy.

“They’ve all been great,” he said of the shows. “I haven’t not liked a show I’ve done here.”

See The Show

Time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 19, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20

Place: Batavia High School, 1201 Main St.

Cost: $7 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased in the Batavia High School Atrium or starting 45 minutes before each show time.

More info: Contact S.T.A.G.E., Batavia High School's theater parent organization, at bataviastage.org. You can also call the ticket hotline at 630-937-8600, ext. 7949.

The Cast

Duke Theseus—Trevor Fechner

Hippolyta—Alex Santoro

Master of the revels—Megan Cave

Egeus—C.J. Chandler

Hermia—Emma Kegerris

Lysander—Jeff Heise

Demetrius—Doug Burrichter

Helena—Megan Scharlau

 Bottom—Johnny Scheuneman

Quince—Nick Coussens

Flute—Charles Grimse

Snout—Megan Warren

Snug—Blake Spitz

Starveling—David Gotfryd

 Titania, Queen of the Fairies—Jessi McCluskey

Oberon—Riley Ano

Puck—Leslie Billing

Titania’s fairies—Kelsey Skomer, Mary Alcott, Katie Bertness, Alison Cruz,

Jordan Morgan, Charlotte Chesters and Claire Heronemus