Fresno State’s University Theatre presents Shakespeare’s enduring comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Oct. 30-Nov. 7 (excluding Nov. 2) with daily show times at 7:30 p.m. and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee in the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre in the Speech Arts building.

The production, one of Shakespeare’s most popular, is reimagined by Fresno State theatre arts professor and director Kathleen McKinley. Drawing upon vampire-like and undead characterizations, along with a modern staging, the performance is Shakespeare with an infusion of popular culture.

Though contemporary, the central story of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” remains intact. With a royal wedding near, four lovers (theatre arts majors Nolan Henson, Eric Armstrong, Danielle Valdivia and Reshma Meister) flee into a dark, eerie forest. There they become pawns in the impassioned battle between Oberon (theatre arts major Jacob Sherwood) and Titania (theatre arts major Kelsey Deroian), the king and queen of the supernatural fairies who are led by Puck (theatre arts major Dillon Morgan). What ensues is sorcery, explosive passion, dance, fickle infatuation, shape-shifting and madcap antics which provide a magical, and often humorous, exploration of romance, lust and marriage.

“’A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ captures a single, fantastical night in an enchanted forest, where unearthly forces toy with love and its many complications,” McKinley said. “Shakespeare reminds us that love makes everyone insane. Love bewitches. Love makes us fools. Love is the most potent of magic. We become our best, and sometimes our worst, selves when love arrives. Throw in a shadowy, enchanted forest, tormenting undead creatures and irrestistble magic spells, and the love, lust and lunacy magnifies lovers into a frenzy.”

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” contains mild sexual humor.

Tickets are $17 for adults; $15 for Fresno State faculty, staff, alumni and military; and $10 for students. Group rates and season subscriptions are available. Box office hours are noon-4 p.m. on weekdays and one hour before each performance.

Parking is free for shows on Friday through Sunday nights. For shows on Tuesday through Thursday nights, parking permits are required in parking lots on campus and can be acquired by calling the box office at 559.278.2216.

For more information, contact the box office at 559.278.2216 or universitytheatre@csufresno.edu.