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After Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night,’ Anton Chekhov’s "The Bear" and Oscar Wilde’s "The Importance of Being Earnest," Waterloo Bridge Theatre Company Artistic Director J. Brandon says he’ll "keep the humor rolling" with Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."

"The play is not just funny," Hill told GO Brooklyn, "it’s also one of Shakespeare’s happier plays. There’s very little darkness."

As the comedy opens, Theseus, king of Athens, is about to marry Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons, whom he has defeated in battle. The wedding will be celebrated by abundant festivities, including a presentation of "Pyramus and Thisbe" by Bottom (played by Christos Bakolias, left), the weaver, and the blundering Mechanicals.

Concurrently, Egeus, an Athenian, has promised his daughter, Hermia, to Demetrius, although she is in love with Lysander. But if Hermia does not care for Demetrius, her friend Helena is madly in love with him. Oberon, the fairy king who is feuding with his queen, Titania, decides to set things right, with the aid of his assistant Puck.

The company has made several original twists in this production.

"We’re doing three things people will either like or dislike," says Hill. "We hope people will like them: Mustardseed, handmaiden to Titania, is also Hippolyta; Puck is also Theseus; and the Mechanicals have a love triangle - both Peter Quince and Tomasina Snout (now a woman) are in love with Nick Bottom."

"A Midsummer Night’s Dream" will be performed in a newly renovated playhouse with more seats and a repositioned stage that allows for circular seating reminiscent of theaters in Elizabethan times like The Globe, The Rose and The Blackfriars.

"A Midsummer Night’s Dream" continues through April 11, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are $15, $10 students. The Waterloo Bridge Playhouse is located at 475 Third Ave. at 10th St. in Gowanus. For reservations, call (212) 502-0796 or visit www.waterloobridge.4t.com.

©2004 Community Newspaper Group