"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is yet another in Shakespeare's Star-Crossed Lovers series and this time there are mythological creatures in the mix. Can't you picture Willie slaving over a hot word processor and recombining writing dice - "roll me a winner!" Zephyer Rep takes a fresh look at this work and sets it in the 1980s, with decidedly interesting results. The performance considered is the April 1, 8 p.m. one.

Blake Bradford's hand hath wrought a frothy and fun production slated for an all-too-short run at Wings Theatre, at 154 Christopher Street. Pre-curtain and intermission music mines '80s goodies and there are a few rock and disco hits sprinkled in for spice during the performance itself.

New York City is a fast-paced metropolis and this show is a whirlwind ride on a bucolic roller coaster. Mia Anderson has a grounding ponderous quality as Theseus, to Keiko Green's gamine Hippolyta. They have a few bits that firmly establish them as the power couple in the kingdom. Mary Jane Gocher as the close-minded Egregious, um, Egeus, plays the crusty, fusty father of Hermia to a fare-thee-well.

Crotchety man of his time, he treats his daughter as property and entreats Theseus to do the same. Theseus' decree provides Hermia (Alicia Green) some time to think, but her thoughts are only of Lysander (Caroline Kessler). Where Egeus is decked out as an English lord, complete with tweeds, Hermia and Lysander are perfect '80s kids-the forerunners of Goths, only with neon splashes of color.

Chewing the scenery as well as Hamlet does, our pair is well matched in love and life. Alicia Green does double duty as choreographer, though her work in that regard is more evident in the second act. Egeus pleads the case of Demetrius (Tamara Cacchione), who had favored a lass called Helena (Karen Brelsford), until he catches the fire of Hermia. Demetrius looks like an Izod clone, complete with a serious badminton/squash raquet, and seems the perfect match for Hermia, even if only in his and Egeus' eyes alone. Lysander, the Romeo in black (leather) jeans, seems destined to lose his love.

Theseus bids everyone take a few days to cool off while he prepares for his wedding, and Hermia and Lysander determine to elope, arranging to meet in a boscy glade known to them. And a busy glade this is destined to be. When Helena, enters to tie up the loose ends, we learn that she is sort of jilted, beautiful in a geeky sort of way-are those 3D glasses she's wearing?-and totally smitten with the unworthy Demetrius.

Theseus' upcoming wedding is well known to all, and a band of roving players determines to do something special for their liege. Anna Wood plays Quince, the bard, who hatches and schemes and directs, but is so flexible to the will of his players, mainly Bottom. Kymm Zuckert is the accomplished Bottom-as well as the costumer-whom we come to see is a master manipulator and wholly manipulated. This is all the more evident as we see Bottom change Quince' mind as easily as his own. Zuckert well knows that the clothes make the man and the rich variety she imparts to the raggle-taggle players is its own visual delight. Her red hair, a shade not found in organic places in nature, clues us in early that she is one to watch-mugging, physical comedy and subtle touches abound-don't blink or you'll be sorry! Quince provides each player with his part and they determine to meet to rehearse-in that same boscy glade! Now things get interesting. Shakespearean doubling includes Egeus as Starveling and the versatile Julia Giolzetti as both the shrinking rustic Snug and the fairy Moth. Madeline Reed is brilliant as burnout Snout. Kirsten Anderson is equally brilliant as Flute.

Shakespeare is not content with merely one pair of lovers, two or even three. We meet the Faerie Queen Titania and her lovely attendants Mustardseed (Amanda Donelan), Peaseblossom (Sarah Lucie),

Cobweb (Ashley C. Stauffer) and the changeling Moth, played by Giolzetti.
The switch with Mia Anderson as Titania with Keiko Green as Oberon is de'lovely and provides these actors ample canvas to paint their work. Implacable Oberon teaches and is taught a lesson and Bottom is left with but a dream.

The entire cast is super, switching back and forth among their characters, but the most versatile is the one who plays the same character throughout-Claire Tyers as Puck. Looking a bit like the love child of Peter Pan and one of his Lost Boys, Tyers is tireless. She has such good spirit and clearly takes such delight in the character that even when this "boy" is bad, he's soooo good! The cast makes use of the entire intimate theatre and the sets are suggestions rather than full representations. This is especially wonderful as the play, and the actors, should be our focus-and they are in great abundance.

The mythical inhabitants are dressed as the fantasies they are and our Athenians are 1980s denizens. The music ranges through rock, disco and more and this is just the right kind of entertainment as the winds of change move the windmills of our minds. Grab your best friends, especially those who love '80s music, and be prepared to laugh out loud. It can only do you good!

Zephyer Rep runs "Midsummer Night's Dream" plays April 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 4 matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are only $20 for adults and $15 for students with ID. For reservations, dial 212/627-2961 or visit www.wingstheatre.com.