The Vintage Theatre Company’s two newest performance troupes are completing their debut tours this weekend.

 

The Rustic Mechanicals, VTC’s Shakespeare Troupe (the only one of its kind in West Virginia) will complete their 2014 Shakespeare in the Parks Bottomless Dream Tour with two performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The first performance will be at the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton on Friday and the second on Saturday at The Ferguson Memorial Park Performance Center in Shinnston.  Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with pre-show festivities starting at 6:30 p.m.

 

Tickets for the Grafton performance are $5.00, while the Shinnston performance is free admission.

 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare's most popular comedy, was written around 1594 or ‘95. It portrays the adventures of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors and their interactions with woodland fairies and a duke and duchess. Taking place in a mythical Athens and an enchanted forest, there is a handsome fairy king, a misguided parent, star-crossed lovers, a weaver who's transformed into a half-donkey, wood sprites, and elves. This work is widely performed around the world, and no wonder - it's about the world's most popular pastime, falling in love. But as Puck knows, falling in love can make fools of us all.

 

Directed by Jason A. Young, VTC’s Founding Producer and Artistic Director, with Production Design by Trina Byard and Production Management by Sarah Young, the Rustic Mechanicals are lead by Celi Oliveto, the production’s Associate Director, and feature the acting talents of Craig Snider (Theseus, Oberon), Gretchen Ross (Hippolyta, Peter Quince, Titania), Kayla Hudimac (Hermia, Starveling, Peaseblossom), Lauren Swann (Helena, Snout, Cobweb), Steve McElroy (Lysander, Flute, Mustardseed), Michael Vozniak (Demetrius, Bottom), and Josh Rocchi (Egeus, Snout, Puck).

 

“West Virginia didn’t have a Shakespeare Troupe until last weekend,” said Young. “We changed that and have done so in a big way with a fun, energetic, and family friendly production.”

 

Montani Cantanti, VTC’s Chamber Opera Troupe (the only one if its kind in West Virginia) will complete its inaugural summer tour with two performances of the hysterical one-act soap opera opera, Gallantry, on Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. at the Loar Auditorium on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon and at 7:00 p.m. at The VTC Cabaret in the Uptown Event Center in Clarksburg.

 

All chamber opera tickets are $10.00 and will be available at the door for both performances on Sunday.

 

In Gallantry, renowned surgeon Dr. Gregg unveils his love for his nurse, Lola. Lola, though flattered, is already engaged to Donald Hopewell who works in the cashier’s office at the same hospital. Will Lola give in to the Doctor’s advances? What will become of her engagement to Donald? Come watch the dramatic battle of good and evil unfold as this suspenseful episode pays homage to the strength and durability of the art form. Complete with commercials and all!

 

Also directed by Jason A. Young and with Production Design by Trina Byard and Production Management by Sarah Young, Gallantry features Joshua Stubbs as Dr. Gregg; Sarah Nale as Lola Markum, a Nurse; Jeremiah Smallridge as Donald Hopewell; and Gigi Collett as the Announcer.

 

“I think a general theatre-going audience is a little scared of ‘opera,’” said Young. “But this troupe and this production are changing people’s minds about the genre with a very funny and accessible show.”

 

The Vintage Theatre Company was founded by Young in the fall of 2012 with the singular goal of uniting the best teaching and performing artists that West Virginia has to offer and then, in turn, providing the best theatrical education and entertainment in the state.  The company now has three performance troupes in their VTC to GO branch, The Fearless Fools (comedy), Montani Cantanti (chamber opera), and The Rustic Mechanicals (Shakespeare), in addition to the VTC Academy and the VTC Cabaret that is the company’s home performance venue.

 

“We are doing what we set out to do,” said Young. “Thanks to our three performance troupes, we have spent the summer working with 20 wonderful artists and by Labor Day will have performed 20 shows in nine counties.”

 

For more information about any of Vintage Theatre Company’s activities, call 1-855-VTC-8588, or email VintageTheatreCo@gmail.com