FAIRHOPE — Step into a magical world of enchanting forests and mischievous fairies. Embark on a classic Shakespearean tale that will leave you blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.

Theatre 98 is set to open one of its largest shows, A Midsummer Night's Dream, which will run each weekend from July 14-July 30.

The Shakespeare comedy follows four Athenians who run away to the forest and encounter a fairy who manipulates their romantic affections. Ashley Campbell, director, said her love of Shakespeare inspired her to choose this production for Theatre 98's current season.

"I have been obsessed with Shakespeare since I was a little girl, it captivated me and is really the foundation for my love of theater," Campbell said. "When the opportunity came to do Shakespeare, it was voted on and I thought it was so fun that our community would love it."

Campbell said she is excited for audiences to experience the traditional story, with a modern twist.

"Midsummer is a comedy, so it was important to me to lean into the physical comedy and jokes to make sure the audience understands the story and is not put to sleep with the archaic language," Campbell said. "We have kept some of the more traditional aspects and added fun and new things for a modern audience."

Campbell said this is one of the biggest shows Theatre 98 has put on, with a cast of 21 people aging from 10 to 75 years old.

Campbell said audiences may recognize certain cast members from past shows, but there are also several new faces in this production.

"We have people who are brand new to theater as well as people who have been doing theater their whole life," Campbell said. "I have been at Theater 98 since 2016, and it is always fun to bring new people into our theater family."

"It is really important to me to showcase as many different people from our community as I can," Campbell said. "We have been rehearsing since May and we are so excited for our community to come together and experience Shakespeare as it was intended."

CAST LIST

• Hermia – Brin Allen
• Helena – Meghan Morris
• Lysander – Elijah Lindsey
• Demetrius – Ian Blair
• Theseus – Solaris Baldwin
• Hippolyta – Mary Avera
• Egeus – Mary Burts
• Philostrate – Ivey Simpson
• Bottom – Craig Handel
• Quince – Lilly Casolaro
• Flute – Emily Byars-Williams
• Snout – Jennifer Walker
• Snug – Grayson Ladd
• Starveling – Grace Tomlenson
• Titania – Margaret Delaney
• Oberon – Camp Walker
• Puck – Meagan Daves
• Fairy/Peaseblossom – Katherine Godwin
• Moth – Killian Delaney
• Cobweb – Ellie Walker
• Mustardseed – JP Walker