Much Ado about Nothing On – A Midsummer Night’s Nude continues this weekend

Story and photos by George Schwarz

Avenue 10’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Nude” opens Friday at the Route 66 Party & Event Center.

The play is based on Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” but it is set in the 1970s instead of the Elizabethan era.

Director Dani Oberbrockling said the play is a fun-filled farce and that the 15 cast members have worked hard to put the show together in four instead of the normal six weeks most theater companies allow for mounting a production.

Assistant Director and veteran actress Crystal Williams, who plays a fairy queen and is partially nude during in the play said she is confident people will enjoy the production.

The play included nudity of actors of both genders but no graphic or explicit sexuality.

On opening night, Friday, Repent Amarillo/Raven Ministries congregated outside the venue, accosting playgoers as they approached the building. At about 7:40 p.m., officers of the Amarillo Police Department reigned in the protesters, telling them to remain on the sidewalk on Sixth Street.

Police also warned the Repent/Raven protesters to not go on the venue property. In addition, as Repent/Raven protesters attempted to shot pictures or video through the open door, police warned them they had no right to do so.

After the play, Repent/Raven personnel again accosted those leaving the building.

Post updated 6:15 p.m. Nov. 14, 2009