Keith David, Laila Robins Set for Central Park Midsummer Night's Dream

Casting is complete for the Public Theater's forthcoming Central Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Daniel Sullivan, the second and final production of Shakespeare in the Park's "Summer of Love." Previews will begin on August 7, with performances continuing for five weeks through September 9. The press opening will be August 23 at the Delacorte Theatre.

The cast includes Jason Antoon Snout Keith David Oberon, Mireille Enos Hermia, John Michael Hill Puck Austin Lysy Lysander, Tim Blake Nelson Quince, Daniel Oreskes Theseus, Missi Pyle Helena, Laila Robins Titania, Jay O. Sanders Bottom and Elliot Villar Demetrius. The remaining members of the cast will be announced at a later date.

In A Midsummer Night's Dream, four lovers flee Athens for the forest, unaware that their romantic squabble and parental difficulties will soon be overshadowed by magic. A fight between the King and Queen of the Fairies, Titania and Oberon, ensues, turning them into libidinous lunatics, while Titania herself falls in love with a buffoon turned ass. A Midsummer Night's Dream is a sparkling romp that proves "the course of true love never did run smooth."

David played Oberon in 1981at the Public for two performances in a production presented by the Acting Company. He has also played the title role in Othello, Leontes in The Winter's Tale, Aaron in Titus Andronicus and Tullus Audifius in Coriolanus. His most recent Broadway credit was the ill-fated 2006 musical Hot Feet

Robins appeared off-Broadway last fall in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Heartbreak House. She played Portia in the Public's 1995 production of The Merchant of Venice and has tackled numerous Shakespearean roles at the New Jersey Shakespeare Theater and the Guthrie Theatre.

Currently playing at the Delacorte is Michael Greif's production of Romeo and Juliet, featuring Lauren Ambrose and Oscar Isaac in the title roles, which runs through July 8.