www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 1-7, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 29 ONSTAGE Date night in the forest is the theme of Pacific Repertory Theatre’s October run of Shakespeare’s magical comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. But just like the enchantments in the trees, PacRep has something more racy in store. “This is not your grandma’s Midsummer Night’s Dream,” proclaims PacRep Executive Director/Artistic Director Stephen Moorer. He describes the upcoming play as “risque, sexy and bold” as imagined by resident director Kenneth Kelleher, who is fresh off a production of Euripides’ Medea last month. “[He’s] a very imaginative director,” Moorer adds. Other actors have also lauded the creative expertise of the South Bay Area’s visionary. Moorer says the directing style comes from someone who is confident in what he wants to portray on stage, which helps move the regional theater forward. Kelleher and Moorer work closely in the development of each year’s program. But Moorer says this presentation was at the top of Kelleher’s list. Although he has directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream elsewhere, it will be a debut for Kelleher and the production at PacRep. “[The play] is one of my personal favorites,” Moorer says. PacRep is well-known for its range. Before Medea, the company presented Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Moorer says he loves having choices, especially when they come from a director who already has a cadre of actors that enjoy working with him. Kelleher continues to be the director of choice for the epochal classics. “The 800 people who love classics are just as important as the 8,000 who love Disney,” Moorer notes. The Shakespearean comedy features Anjoli Aguilar as Helena, Jared Walters in the role of Lysander, Bri Salama takes on Hermia and Nick Mandracchia is Demetrius on the corners of a love rectangle. Katie O’Bryon Champlin plays the infamous fairy Puck. Naturally, the setting is Carmel’s Forest Theater. Noting the suggestive themes, PacRep’s box office recommends the show for ages 12 and up. A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs 7:30pm Thursdays-Saturdays, 3pm Sundays Oct. 1-18; ASL interpretation Oct. 16. Outdoor Forest Theater, 707 Mountain View Ave., Carmel. $46; $36/seniors; $26/teachers, military; $16/students; $11/children 12 and under. Discounted previews Oct. 1-2. (831) 622-0100, pacrep.org. STEPHEN MOORER Mischief Maker PacRep presents a bold production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. By Sloan Campi Keith Pinto (left) and Jennifer Le Blanc play the king and queen fairies Oberon and Titania, among other roles in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. H We provide free assistance to on-location film and media productions H $146 million economic impact in local communities since our creation by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. H 200+ movies, commercials, documentaries, TV shows (Big Little Lies, Whalefall, All the Old Knives) filmed scenes here. H Support our nonprofit’s work and donate at FilmMonterey.org. H Add a crew or business listing to our online Resources Guide to reach film producers. 831-646-0910 H FilmMonterey.org For The Weekly, 4.66” x 5.57” for October 1 issue. We’re bringing “Lights, Camera, and Economic Action” to Monterey County through the film industry. Anderson & Roe Piano Duo October 11, 3PM Sunset Center Carmel Music Society carmelmusic.org
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