Shakespeare comedy onstage at park

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is performing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at parks this summer, kicking off in Pleasanton with a preview June 30 and ending July 15.

“Having explored Shakespeare’s darker side over the past few years with titles like ‘Hamlet,’ ‘The Winter’s Tale,’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ we’re thrilled to bring an upbeat comedy to our Free Shakespeare in the Park audiences this year,” artistic director Rebecca J. Ennals said.

“It’s the perfect play to watch outdoors on a summer evening or afternoon, and our company hasn’t staged it since 2007.”

The Shakespeare company’s Bay Area-wide run begins at Amador Valley Community Park before moving on to Cupertino, Redwood City and San Francisco. The company arrives a week early to set up its stage and have onsite rehearsals.

Performances will start earlier this year, at 7 p.m., to make it easier for those with young children to enjoy the family-friendly production. Each year the plays feature humor and fun touches to delight all ages.

Ennals recalled attending a performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at age 5 when she fell in love with the Bard.

“I was hooked. It’s been a lifelong love affair,” she said. “I’ve diverted into other types of theater, but I return to Shakespeare.”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” follows the misadventures of four young lovers, a group of aspiring actors, and a team of mischievous fairies as they all enter the woods outside Athens on a summer night. The ensuing hilarity and chaos create an evening filled with love and laughter.

The show will also be visually stunning, with this year’s costumes designed by Hyun Sook Kim, masks created by Kendra Johnson, sets designed by Neal Ormond, and movement choreography by Amelia Adams.

Playgoers bring blankets and picnics to the park to enjoy along with the professional production, which started coming to Pleasanton in 2000. No tickets or reservations are needed, and early arrival is recommended for the best spots.

Low chairs (no more than 6 inches off the ground) with low shoulder rests are also welcome. Taller chairs will be allowed in designated areas where they won’t interfere with others’ views of the stage. Space is reserved for wheelchairs.

Snacks and beverages will be for sale, with proceeds going directly to support Free Shakespeare in the Park. There will also be portable restrooms.

Ennals said she is excited to have found a talented cast that upholds the company’s dedication to gender and racial diversity. The cast includes familiar faces from past Free Shakespeare in the Park productions as well as talent new to the company.

The actors are Stephen Muterspaugh as Oberon/Theseus, Livia Gomes Demarchi as Titania/Hippolyta, James Lewis as Puck/Philostrate, Lauren Spencer as Helena, Patricia Austin as Hermia/Fairy, Ed Berkeley as Demetrius, Akaina Ghosh as Lysander/Fairy, Michael Ray Wisely as Nick Bottom, Michael Asberry as Egeus/Peter Quince, Sean Garahan as Francis Flute/Mustardseed, Melanie Marshall as Snout/Peaseblossom, Rosemarie Kingfisher as Robin Starveling/Cobweb, Julie Douglas as Snug/Mote, and Gina White as Attendant/Fairy.

Ennals likes the fact that these free performances are available to everyone as they were in the days of Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre in London where they were also performed in the open air.

“Famously, at the Globe, you could pay a penny; 70-80% of the people went to the theater in London. We strive for that,” Ennals said.

Also, William Shakespeare expected a lot of give-and-take between his actors and their audience, and this production will include that feature.

The Pleasanton performances are at 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, opening July 1 and running through July 15. A preview performance will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 30. Amador Valley Community Park is located at Santa Rita Road and Black Avenue.

This is the 36th year for Free Shakespeare in the Park, which began on a picnic table in Golden Gate Park. For more information, call the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival at (415) 558-0888 or visit www.sfshakes.org.