Welcome to Overshadowed Theatrical Production's presentation of Shakespeare on the Grass: Midsummer Night's Dream, made possible with support from the Village of Itasca.
Overshadowed has provided quality, family-friendly drama that entertains, inspires, and promotes a Biblical message for over 20 years. Their newest season includes Flame of Fire (a world premiere), It's A Wonderful Life, James and the Giant Peach TYA, Agatha Christie's The Stranger, and Titanic: The Musical. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit our website: https://www.overshadowed.org
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream Synopsis
William Shakespeare wrote A Midsummer Night’s Dream early in his career, and it remains one of his most celebrated and beloved comedies. Set in and around Athens, the play brings together characters from across the social spectrum, including working-class craftsmen known as mechanicals, Athenian nobles, and mythical fairies. The action begins with the announcement of the upcoming marriage between Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. Soon after, the audience is introduced to four young lovers caught in a complicated romantic conflict: Lysander and Hermia are in love, while Demetrius, formerly promised to Helena, now pursues Hermia with the approval of Hermia’s mother, Iara. Iara appeals to the Duke for support, and he rules in her favor. As a result, Lysander and Hermia decide to flee through the woods and elope. Hoping to regain Demetrius’s affection, Helena unwisely reveals their plan to him and follows him into the forest as he pursues Hermia.
At the same time, a group of mechanicals prepares a theatrical performance for the duke’s wedding and also gathers in the woods to rehearse. However, the forest is filled with supernatural chaos, as Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairies, are engaged in a quarrel. Both the lovers and the mechanicals become entangled in the fairies’ mischief. Puck, Oberon’s sprite attendant, captures the spirit of the play with the memorable line, “Lord, what fools these mortals be!”
By morning, Oberon’s schemes have run their course, and he instructs Puck to restore order. Oberon reconciles with Titania, and the young lovers awaken with transformed perspectives on their relationships. They are then invited to join the duke’s wedding celebration. The mechanicals complete their performance, presenting their earnest drama before the duke and his guests, where it is received with appreciation and good humor.
A Disco Musical?
It is very unlikely that you have ever seen Shakespeare like this before. This production brings Shakespeare’s timeless tale with fresh perspective and boundless energy. Set in the late 1970s, this version of Midsummer Night’s Dream features original songs alongside classic hits from the era. What makes the production especially innovative is that most of the lyrics from our original songs are drawn directly from Shakespeare’s text. We invite you to read or sing along with the lyrics for the six original songs created by Kady Debelak for this performance.
Scenes and Musical Numbers
“L’amour Fou” Intro — Puck and Fairies (Sing along with the Lyrics Here)
ACT I
Scene I. Athens. The palace of THESEUS.
Scene II. Athens. QUINCE’S house.
ACT II
Scene I. A wood near Athens.
“Hill and Dale”..........Puck and Fairies (Sing along with the Lyrics Here)
“You’re the First, My Last, My Everything”..........Oberon and Titania
(By Barry White, Tony Sepe, and Peter Radcliffe)
Scene II. Another part of the wood.
“Fairy Lullaby”..........Puck and Fairies (Sing along with the Lyrics Here)
ACT III
Scene I. The wood.
“Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart”..........Oberon and Titania
(By Elton John and Bernie Taupin)
“Le Freak”
(By Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards; performed by Chic)
INTERMISSION
Scene II. Another part of the wood.
“The Winner Takes It All”..........Hermia, Puck, and Fairies
(By Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson)
“Up and Down”..........Puck and Fairies (Sing along with the Lyrics Here)
ACT IV
Scene I. The same.
“The Long and Winding Road”..........Oberon and Titania
(By Paul McCartney)
"In the Forest"..........Puck and Fairies (Sing along with the Lyrics Here)
Scene II. Athens. QUINCE’S house.
ACT V
Scene I. Athens. The palace of THESEUS.
“I Die” (parody of “Dream On”)..........Nick Bottom as Pyramus (Sing along with the Lyrics Here)
(By Steven Tyler)
“I Have a Dream”
(By Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson)
“Celebration” Curtain Call
(By Ronald Bell, Claydes Smith, George Brown, James Taylor, Robert Mickens, Earl Toon, Dennis Thomas, Robert Bell, and Eumir Deodato; performed by Kool & the Gang)
Meet the Company
R. Scott Purdy
R. Scott Purdy is excited to work with Overshadowed again, having appeared with them in Twelve Angry Men. Scott has been in hundreds of stage plays, dozens of films and many commercials. More info on his website: www.rscottpurdy.com
Betsy Thompson
Betsy Thompson is excited to take part in her first outdoor Shakespeare production. She has been on stage with Overshadowed in many different productions over the last 20+ years and loves welcoming new members to this theater family. Betsy lives in Batavia with her husband, 3 boys, and 3 cats.
Uzma Lauritzen
Uzma is thrilled to be part of her 2nd Shakespeare play with Overshadowed. Over the past 11 years with OTP she's been in many productions including The Devil and Daniel Webster and 12 Angry Women. She hopes you enjoy this 70s take on a classic tale. When not performing, she's the Concessions Manager for OTP.
Kori Tarkon
Kori Tarkon is delighted to make her Overshadowed debut, especially as a life-long Shakespeare nerd. She has a deep passion for story-telling and has been part of the performing arts world most of her life with a rich background in dance and choreography. She wants to express her gratitude for her incredible community of loved ones and to the ever-fixed mark of her life, Christ Jesus, may He be the star to each of our wandering barks.
Wesley White
Wesley is so happy to be back for his second Overshadowed's Shakespeare on the Grass. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Justin McHugh
Justin is thrilled to be joining this wonderful cast for his second production with Overshadowed! Theater and voice acting have been lifelong passions of his. He extends heartfelt thanks to the directors for their dedication and to his family for their constant encouragement and support. Soli Deo Gloria!
Sarah Engel
Sarah is an artist who has worked behind-the-scenes at OTP with sets, props, and backstage since 2018, along with her four amazing kids. This summer, someone (Betsy Thompson) dared her to give the stage a try. She has enjoyed the challenge and the opportunity to share this fantastical story alongside her daughter Eilidh, dear friend Betsy, and so many other lovely friends new and old. Hebrews 11:11. To Niamh, Efa, Tadhg and Eilidh. Thank you for being the best part of everything and bringing me along for your creative adventures.
Rachel Webster
Rachel Webster (Puck) is excited to perform with Overshadowed! She has been in nine productions, though her favorite roles have been Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Rosie (Bye Bye Birdie), and Vivienne Kensington (Legally Blonde). Rachel would like to thank family, friends, and Jesus for all of their support and love!
Jessica Means
Jessica has been fortunate to appear in many of Overshadowed’s productions including Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly, Narrator in Joseph, and Betty Haynes in White Christmas. Other OTP shows include Mary Debenham in Murder on the Orient Express, Pamela/Margaret/Annabella in The 39 Steps, and Jessie Mae Watts in Trip to Bountiful. Some of Jessica’s favorite roles outside of Overshadowed include Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street (Music on Stage), Marian Paroo in The Music Man (Forte Productions) and Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde (Fremont Street Theatre) where she received a Lou Award Nomination for Best Performance. When not on the stage, Jessica teaches high school English and theatre. Thank you Rudy, Aria, Brooke, and Weston for keeping my life full of whimsy.
Katherine Hart
Katherine is thrilled to be in a faerie once more, this time as Moonbeam! For MJ & Julia. This is her 3rd season of Shakespeare with Overshadowed. She has worked extensively with the Bard’s work with a variety of companies. Previous credits include Harvey (Miss Johnson), As You Like It (Le Beau, Jacques de Bois), A Christmas Carol (Ensemble), Comedy of Errors/Much Ado About Nothing (Dr. Pinch/Ursula), The Pajama Game (Virginia), Miracle on 34th Street (Elf J), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shallow and Fairy), The Creature Creeps (Freda Zitzen), The Tempest (Foley Artist), Love Labour’s Lost (Antonia Dull), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mustardseed), Much Ado About Nothing (Ursula), The Comedy of Errors (First Merchant/Servant), and Cyrano de Bergerac (Sister Martha). Much love and thanks to her family and friends for all their love and support.
Eilidh Engel
Eilidh has been a part of Overshadowed since 2018 when she first appeared in It’s A Wonderful Life (Martini Child/Ensemble). Some of her previous roles include Lucy Pevensie (The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe), Mary Claire Daugherty (The Christmas Schooner), Fezziwig Daughter/Ghost Puppeteer/Dancer (A Christmas Carol), and Ensemble (Hello, Dolly!). This is her first Shakespeare production.
Michaela White
Michaela is excited to be a part of Queen Titania’s Fairy Court in this very glam take on Midsummer Night’s Dream! Michaela especially enjoys any chance she gets to perform with her family and is excited to share this grassy stage with her brother, Wesley. Michaela has performed in many Overshadowed productions in the past and she looks forward to continuing the trend in Overshadowed’s Flame of Fire this upcoming Fall.
Haven Koehl
Haven Koehl is excited to appear in Midsummer Night's Dream, her first Shakespeare production as Gloria, the tumbling fairy. She has participated in Overshadowed summer camps for 3 years and has loved every experience. She is headed into 6th grade at Wheaton Christian Grammar School.
Mike Dille
It was a donkey that bore Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to be executed on a cross for our sins, and raised up so that He could give everlasting life to those who receive Him (John 3:16). So, Mike doesn’t mind playing a donkey in this show! More about Mike: He has had lots of practice in various roles in the last year, having played two doctors, a judge, a policeman, and a drunk: Dr. Lyman Sanderson in Harvey, a policeman in Afternoon by the Sea, and Doc Robinson/Judge Thatcher/Papp (town drunk) in Tom Sawyer (all Overshadowed productions). Mike loves theater, especially productions with his wife, Christy, any of his kids, and all of his friends at Overshadowed. He’s very blessed and thankful for the opportunity to bring art to the stage that glorifies God, with such a talented community. In his spare time, Mike likes to share cat videos. His friends have told him to stop. His family has no choice!
Christi Koehl
Christi Koehl is a big fan of Shakespeare and is happy to be a part of another Shakespeare on the Grass production by Overshadowed. Her first Shakespeare production was back in 2003 with Much Ado About Nothing. She has been acting, improvising, and teaching drama for over 20 years, including 4 seasons at the MasterWorks Performing Arts Festival. You might see her at Westside Improv Studio or with Inverse Comedy Troupe. Christi is very excited to share the stage with her daughter, Haven, for the first time.
Nooshig Salvador
Nooshig Luz Salvador is a child of our Lord who has been blessed with being a physician, healer, and actor. In addition to Integrative Medicine, she believes that the creative arts offer therapeutic modalities, facilitate emotional processing, and support holistic well-being. This is her fifth Overshadowed Theater performance, following her recent role as Betty Chumley in Harvey. Throughout her stage and screen career, she played a deaconess in the Christian film The Diary of Perpetua (2022) and played Mother Mary in the touring theatrical and film production of The Thorn (2023). Her stage experience includes social action theater in Grand Family Foods (2024) and Flies with Honey (2025), as well as immersive theater in 13 Suits (2025). She also enjoyed performing in the musical productions Uncaped Heroes (2023) and You’re a Mean One (2024). Her screen credits include several indie films, such as TV Boy (2026) and Dissonance (2023). View her work on her IMDb Profile. In addition to acting, she is a professor at NUHS, where she teaches acupuncture, herbal medicine, and western medicine. She is an avid gardener who loves playing folkloric drums, the piano, and the church organ, and spending time with her family.
Josiah Alvarez
Josiah is just an average Christian who loves doing theatre! Over the years he’s done plenty of Overshadowed shows but for this show his two hopes are that you would enjoy the show and that God would be happy with his performance despite his silly role. Soli Deo Gloria!
Aiden Cox
Aiden credits his love of theater to 2 things: watching Newsies in 2021, and when he saw The Sound of Music with a local troupe that year as well. His first stage role was Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof with that same troupe the following year! He has since been in 4 shows since (his favorite being able to play The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance), and this is his first Overshadowed role, as well as his introduction to the world of Shakespeare! In his free time, he enjoys playing anything Nintendo, watching/going to the movies, playing baseball/softball, and hanging out with friends.
Naomi Rogers
Naomi has enjoyed acting for almost all of her life. However, this is her first foray into Shakespeare. She has been involved in nurmerous OTP shows over the last 20 years and has a one-woman show. Wife of Michael for 37 years, and she is a mother and grandmother (FAVORITE ROLES EVER)!
Elisabeth Polderman
Elisabeth is excited to be apart of this production! Other Overshadowed credits include Hello, Dolly! (Ensemble) and My Fair Lady (Ensemble). When she isn’t doing homeschool work along with her six other siblings, Elisabeth is dancing at the Upper Room Dance Studio in Wheaton or tempting her brothers’ tastebuds with her numerous baking projects. She would like to thank her family, especially her mom and grandma, for cheering her on throughout the whole process! Enjoy the show!
Cassandra Schaefer
Casandra Schaefer is excited to be performing in her first show at Overshadowed. She is a senior in college studying musical theatre, and is an alum of the National Theatre Institute. Some of her previous roles include Kristine (A Doll's House) and Nightingale (Once Upon A Mattress).
Grantly Scott
Grantly is thrilled to be back on stage! Previous stage credits include As You Like It—which marked his debut Shakespeare appearance with Overshadowed Theater—along with compelling roles in The Living, Anna Deavere Smith's Let Me Down Easy, and various short play showcases at Oakton College. Grantly extends deep gratitude to the cast, crew, and director for this wonderful experience, looks forward to continued support from family and friends, and sends heartfelt thanks to the audience for supporting live theatre.
Anna Tyschenko
Anna is a recent graduate looking to get into theater again. She has previously been in the ensemble of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Anna is grateful for the opportunity to be in this show and is looking forward to growing with the company.
Hamovig
This is Hamovig’s Shakespeare debut. Hamovig is thrilled to be a part of this OTP production.
Kady Debelak
Kady Debelak is thankful to have the opportunity to direct this 3rd annual Shakespeare on the grass. Each show provides new exciting challenges and opportunities, and she’s so incredibly grateful for the support of the cast and Overshadowed production team. She enjoys performing on the stage, as well as directing both at her school, LCCA, and with the Overshadowed camps and various other opportunities. And though she may be “little,” she “fiercely” hopes that you enjoy the dreaming, mayhem, and disco vibes of this madcap Midsummer Night Dream! Ad Dei gloriam!
Danielle York Miller
Danielle York Miller has been enamored with theatre and music from an early age. Her favorite is a Shakespearean story in an opera (Otello by Verdi, anyone?). Though opera is her favorite, teaching 70s music for this production has been a blast too, mostly because this is such a lovely cast. Please enjoy!
Kayla Kowach
Kayla is excited to choreograph for this production and honored to work with Overshadowed. She is a Solo Artist with Ballet 5:8 and previously danced the lead role in Ballet 5:8 & Overshadowed’s The Caged Bird Sings. She has danced professionally for six years and is grateful to Kady and the cast for their commitment and exploration.
Michael Larsen
Mike Larsen has led the technical charge for countless Overshadowed productions as well as performing in numerous shows including The Devil and Daniel Webster and Tuesdays with Morrie. You can see him in It's a Wonderful Life this Christmas season.
Christy Dille
Sponsors
More about Overshadowed 2026-2027 season:
Kicking off the season is an original play written by Artistic Director Reba Hervas entitled Flame of Fire. The story is inspired by "Operation Auca," a mission to make peaceful contact with an Ecuadorian tribe. Remembering the events 70 years later, this dramatic play follows missionaries Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian and their wives as they bravely prepare for what would change their lives forever.
For the Christmas season, Overshadowed will present the beloved It’s a Wonderful Life, adapted by Jason LeBlanc from the film by Frank Capra. This cherished story follows George Bailey as he discovers the most precious gift thanks to some heavenly help by a quirky angel trying to earn his wings. The film turns 80 years old this year.
In January, the season continues with the family-oriented James and the Giant Peach (TYA). Adapted from Roald Dahl's book, this musical follows the adventures of a young boy and his strange new friends as they travel in a giant peach to New York. Book by Timothy Allen McDonald with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known for Dear Evan Hansen.
The spring will feature a rare Agatha Christie mystery, The Stranger. Considered a lost play until 2019, this intriguing tale will have audiences on the edge of their seats as a woman’s whirlwind romance takes a turn when she discovers something about her husband’s past.
The season wraps with the Tony Award-winning Titanic: The Musical with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Peter Stone. This beautiful musical delivers powerful emotional moments and soaring songs that bring history to life.
