Final weekend for 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' Vpstart production

By BENNIE SCARTON JR.

bscarton@manassasjm.com

Vpstart Crow Productions Inc.'s performance of Shakespeare's magical comedy, "A Midsum-mer Night's Dream," comes to a conclusion this weekend.

Final presentations will be Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Cramer Center in Old Town Manassas.

The play takes place in a land where fairies and humans co-exist (although they generally do not know it) and magic runs rampant.

"The play is experiencing a large and enthusiastic audience," according to Joan R. Bull, president.

Theatergoers agree.

"I think it's fabulous, and it's the first time that I've seen this particular play. It's well cast and extremely funny, with lots of physical humor,' said Georgia Fishman, a senior citizen and ac-tress from Watertown, S.D., visiting family in Virginia. She acts in community theater, especially comedies, as well as singing and dancing.

Phyllis Harrison, one of Vpstart's regular patrons, who brought her daughter and son-in-law, said "It's a delightful play and coming to see live theatre in our downtown is a great way to spend an eve-ning."

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. For groups of 10 or more, tickets are $10 each. To pur-chase tickets visit www.boxofficetickets.com or call 800 494-TIXS. For more information on Vpstart Crow call 800 660-8580 or info@vpstartcrow.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office the evening of each perform-ance or at the Sunday matinee.

Sarah an Kelly found the production to be very entertaining. "Shakespeare's story is just as funny in a modern setting. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. It was a great performance."

Another Manassas

resident, Thomas Pitt, said "When I was in England and reading Shakespeare, I never fully realized the bril-liance of his works until I saw this play, especially the dialogue between Hermia and Helena, and how all of the threads of the play are so cleverly and intricately woven together to complete the story."

He gave the play a standing ovation.

Founded in 1994, Vpstart (pronounced upstart) is a non-Equity and non-profit professional theatre company dedi-cated to performing the works of William Shakespeare and other theater classics. Upcoming shows include "The Importance of Being Earnest' on Oct. 2-19' "A Christmas Carol" on Dec. 4-21; "She Stoops to Conquer" on Feb. 6-22; "Othello" on May 1-17; and "Tartuffe" on July 10-26.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.