l-r: Courtney Moser as Hermia consoles a distraught Katrina Greco as Helena

St. Joseph High School in Natrona Heights will be presenting William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" as its fall theater production. The Bard's classic story of young lovers gone astray will be presented on October 16, 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 8:00 p.m. and October 26 at 3:00 p.m. All performances will take place in the social hall at the St. Ladislaus' Worship Site on Spruce Street in Natrona.

l-r bottom row: Melissa Gettinger (Peaseblossom), Brianna Sullivan (Mustardseed), Alyssa Thimmons (Cobweb) l-r standing: Tiffany Hubert (a Fairy in the Forest), Caitlin Pepka (Moth) l-r foreground: Caitlin Sullivan (Titania), Ben Tegethoff (Oberon)

Director John Carosella said he chose the play because it offered an opportunity to use a large cast with a number of good, solid male and female roles. As a school play, he said, it provides students with "an academic challenge as well as a theatrical experience." And, while there may be playwrights who are more accessible to young people than William Shakespeare, he said, there are probably none better than the Bard.

So, if you're interested in a playful romp with some confused young lovers whose story is wrapped in a play within a play, tickets can be purchased by calling the high school office at 724-224-5552.