HERNDON, VA — Looking to enjoy some Shakespeare but don’t have the time — or patience — to sit through a four-hour performance? The Dark Horse Theatre Company and Arts Herndon has the solution.
Herndon’s own community theater troupe is presenting “A Mid-Social Night’s Distance,” a modern, COVID-19-conscious take on the Bard’s classic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 10-18, at 5 p.m., on the Arts Herndon Lawn, located at 750 Center St., in Herndon.
“Our goal at Dark Horse is to make theatre accessible, ” Managing Artistic Director Natasha Parnian said.“We need accessibility to our art form now more than ever. I acknowledge that there are many virtual offerings, but I really don’t consider those to be the equivalent of live theatre. They are in themselves their own form. It’s been a tremendously difficult year for our cast, crew, and audiences alike. We have been existing in a palpable arts desert for 6 months. It’s time for in-person, live theatre to return. Our team is ready to share some fun and joy created by the community for the community.”
The multi-aged cast and crew is made up of local high school student and adult actors. The cast includes Jenna Ainge, Star Bobatoon, Gaby Bradley, Ava Deutschman, Ken Gilfillan, Kelly Grover , Emma Harris, Izzi Hollenbeck, Trace Hollenbeck, Nailah Hunter, Roland Lamoureux, Andrew Landrum, Leandra Lynn, Tommy Maxson, Genaro Mejia, Yali Miranda, Angela Morris, Charlotte Olsen, Paul Olsen, Scott D. Pafumi, Daniella Pepelko, Raju Sharma, Adam Solomon, Jake Swery, Natalie Tubia, Allison Turkel, and Ryen Weston.
The production team includes Natasha Parnian (director/sound design),Scott D. Pafumi (technical director/set design), Lulu Megahed (stage manager), Meena Megahed (stage manager), Peyton Johnston (stage manager), Ronan Floyd (technician), David Wrigley (technician), Cecily Rood (technician), Ankit Poudel (production assistant), Hannah Clements (costume mistress), and Chloe Thompson (costume mistress).
“This theatre project is all the best of what we call community theater,” said Pafumi, who adapted the 90-minute show from Shakespeare’s original. “It is a celebration of a multi-aged cast and a return to the arts in our neighborhood. For too long now we have been living without live theatre. I’m proud to be part of a company that is bringing back the joy of live entertainment to the town of Herndon, a town with which I am very enamored.”
Tickets are available online, at the door, or at Dark Horse’s box office. General admission tickets are $20 for a stool or chair seats; $50 for a family “bubble,” a personal circle space for one to six, is $50; and $15 for student and military tickets with a valid ID. Parking is free.
This article originally appeared on the Herndon Patch