Photo Flash: Firecat Productions' A MIDSUMMER NIGHTÂ'S DREAM

FIRECAT PRODUCTIONS is pleased to announce of the opening a Zombie Joe'S adaptation of SHAKESPEARE'S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM beginning Thursday May 6 at 8:00 pm. The production open-ended production runs Thursdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 7 pm. Ticket are $25 for general admission and $45 limited reserved seating (first 3 rows). Tickets can be purchased at www.telecharge.com or by calling 212-239-6200. ACTORS TEMPLE THEATRE is located at 339 West 47th Street, New York City (Between 8th & 9th Ave.)

FIRECAT PRODUCTIONS A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM is presented as a high-impact comedic adaptation of SHAKESPEARE'S timeless classic which follows the fantastical adventures of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, Athenian Nobles, and the mischievous fairies who inhabit a moonlit forest. With fresh energy and vision the entire cast helps create the environment and partakes in the fun. This shortened version retains the magnificent Shakespeare language, and does not include any "modernisms" in the dialogue. While it remains true to the story and themes, it cuts to the core of the story for today's audiences. The show runs approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, ! with no intermission, and is recommended for ages 13 and up. www.firecatnyc.com.

The cast of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM include KATIE DONOVAN, DANAI EPITHYMIADI, RICHARD GOODRICH, Mary Goodwin, LINDSEY LARKIN, ARI LEW, STEVE MAZZOCCONE, BREE PAVEY, GERALD PROSSER JR, JORDAN ANNA SEIGEL, Rochelle Smith, and AMY KATHERYN WHITE.

Director Zombie Joe is the founder and artistic director of Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group, and co-founder of Limecat Family Theatre Company (www.limecat.org) and Firecat Productions, now a fully-operating year-round bi-coastal organization in Los Angeles and New York City. He has produced and directed over 150 productions, 17 in the last year alone. Zombie is best known for his unique style of progressive, avante-garde theatre art, winning awards and acclaim for his Edgar Allan Poe, Shakespeare, Outer-Space, Grand-Guignol-Horror, and Children's productions.

Assistant Director Denise Devin is lead director of Zombie Joe's Underground Theatre Group, (aka ZJU Theatre Group) and co-founder, of Limecat Family Theatre Company (www.limecat.org) and Firecat Productions. She has co-written and co-directed 10 Limecat productions, many of them award winning. She has also co-written, directed or choreographed 15 to 20 ZJU productions as well as performing in over 40 ZJU productions. As a playwright, she has authored 15 one-act plays, all of which have been produced in the Los Angeles area. With a background in dance, Denise has found a home at Firecat, working with a theatre that uses highly stylized movement as an integral part of its artistic expression.

FIRECAT PRODUCTIONS presents new works supporting new artists, playwrights and composers, as well as presenting well known and/or classical stories with a fresh vision. The shows presented by FIRECAT are rooted in both classical and original works. Every show is fun, fascinating and always on the "cutting edge" which helps it to be widely received by a broad audience range. FIRECAT is passionate towards the survival and growth of the living arts and considers this passion its mission.

Actors Temple was founded in 1917 as the West Side Hebrew Relief Association. Its leaders were Orthodox Jews who owned shops in the rough-and-tumble district called Hell's Kitchen, at the time one of the world's busiest steamship ports. Over time a bond formed between the shul and Jews working in another local industry, show business. Talent from vaudeville, musical theater, nightclubs, live television and the dramatic stage made the synagogue a true Actors Temple. Eventually the nightclubs closed, television went west and vaudeville disappeared. Actors Temple declined along with the Times Square area, but the proud shul remained to anchor the neighborhood. A stroll through our part of midtown today confirms the resurge! nce of the Theater District and Hell's Kitchen. Block after block has sprouted condominiums, corporate offices, and more theaters. Actors Temple is resurgent too, adding members and staff, while evolving into a diverse congregation where every voice is heard--and respected.

Photo credit: Firecat Productions

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