Love enchantment

Laguna Beach High School’s Park Avenue Players are following up last year’s remarkable dramatic season by going back to the beginnings of modern theater with William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

The classic romantic comedy about misdirected love runs for two long weekends, including Sunday matinees, and features a cast of 40.

Directed by Mark Dressler and Amanda Hastings, the show continues a tradition of presenting professional-quality theater at the high school.

After last year’s award-winning productions of “Urinetown,” “West Side Story” and “Our Town,” many wondered how the drama department could “top” those triumphs.

Dressler, who teaches drama at Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High, said going back to a classic of early theater was a good choice because it is a fun yet educational play and uses a large cast.

“We felt it was time to put up another classic,” Dressler said. “Any time we can work on Shakespeare is an educational event. ‘Midsummer’ is special because we have an opportunity to cast around 40 kids in the show. And I define this play as a magical love comedy. I think that’s about the best kind of play we can produce for our community during this particular time in our history.”

Although famous for its riotously funny comedy, “Midsummer Night’s Dream” also has its serious side, Dressler noted.

“As a drama teacher, I appreciate this play because it affords an opportunity for presentation of so many different styles of acting. Yes, the play is known as a comedy, but there is an opportunity for some serious drama as well.”

Shakespeare includes a raft of characters representing upper, middle and working classes.

“There are dukes in love with Amazon queens; teenagers in love with the wrong people; common folks, clownish characters in love with making a play for their Duke; there is even a cast of fairies and spirits fighting for the possession of a kidnapped child.

“It’s all about love and the kooky things love can make you do.”

One of the most amusing parts of the play is the magical “love juice” that can make anyone fall in love with the first living thing he or she sees.

This leads to some of the funniest comedy ever written, and Dressler thinks that younger children will be especially captivated by these scenes.

“What can be more fun than love juice? You drop this magical love juice in a sleeping person’s eyes; then when the guy or girl wakes up, he or she falls madly in love with the first live creature it sees. Could be a monkey or a cat or weenie dog. Kids love that kind of stuff.

“This is a perfect first Shakespeare play for kids to see because they love seeing people doing kooky things.”

Dressler says he is especially proud of the costumes and set for this play, which also features original music by Steve Wood and choreography by Lisa Jay, the school’s new choreographer and dance instructor.

Dressler further notes that this play has special resonance for him.

“Some time around 1980, I performed in a wonderful summer production of this play,” he said. “A cute 19-year-old girl named Penny came to see that play and ventured backstage afterward and met the guy that played Puck. We fell in love and did a kooky thing: We got married.”

IF YOU GO

WHAT: William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

WHERE: Artists Theatre, 625 Park Ave.

WHEN: 7:30 tonight, Saturday, Thursday, Nov. 21 and 22, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 23.

TICKETS: Students $12; Adults $15; Premium reserved $20.

CALL: (949) 497-7769