Burien Little Theatre's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" retells a classic love story with a hip blend of 1950s pop music, dancing and all the nostalgia one would expect from a musical that revels in its retro shtick.

William Shakespeare never would have imagined his renowned romantic love story would be set in the gymnasium of Athens High School on the day of graduation, circa 1957.

His tale involving magical fairies, mistaken identities and perplexing love triangles is complete with familiar tunes such as "Love Me Tender," "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," "Love Potion No. 9" and "I Will Follow Him."

The story picks up before the wedding of Theseus (James Tucker), principal of Athens High School, and Hippolyta (Laura York), the drama/gym teacher. The party is about to start before Egeus (Russ Kay) interrupts the celebration to ask Theseus a favor. His daughter Hermia (Lynne Randall) is set to marry Demetrius (John Mallory), but is really in love with Lysander (Caleb Slavens). Hermia's best friend Helena (Toni Guidry) is in love with Demetrius, but the love is unrequited.

It all sounds confusing, but that's the point. The adventure begins when Lysander and Hermia run away into the woods to get married. Demetrius and Helena follow them.

What our four heroes do not know is that the forestry near Athens High School is populated with fairies and other magical beings who are keen on playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors. Go figure.

The magical beings are ruled by the mighty Oberon (Brad Walker) who is having relationship problems with his wife Titania (Kate Moyer). Out of spite for each other, Oberon summons the mischievous Puck (Kris Hambrick) to play a trick on Titania and the four lovers who wandered into his domain.

Puck uses a magical love potion that makes a sleeping victim fall in love with the first person he or she sees upon waking up. The hilarity ensues when our main heroes fall in love with the wrong people.

Director Maggie Larrick has a lot to work with as Lysander is portrayed as the popular boy we all knew in high school; Hermia is the glamorous Homecoming queen and Oberon is a slick swinger with flamboyance reminiscent of Elvis Presley.

But no wedding celebration is complete without the high jinks of an incompetent theater troupe led by Peter Quince (also played by Russ Kay). Their attempt to put on the play "Pyramus and Thisbe" goes horribly wrong when they force Francis Flute (a hilarious Kevin Schilling) to play a woman. Cross-dressing is nothing new to Shakespearean audiences. The lead in the play is played by the foolishly self-indulgent Nick Bottom (Don Speirs).

Completing the ensemble are three fairies (Claire Fernandez, Jennifer Pierce and Sara Sorden) who perfectly complement the play's enchanted environment. Their high energy and seamless choreography contribute to the retro 1950s theme.

For people who might shy away from Shakespeare because of the old style of language, they should not fear to come see this production. Adapted by local Seattle actor/director Arne Zaslove, the upbeat musical numbers and the turn-back-the-clock style makes "A Midsummer Night's Dream" perfectly accessible to all audiences.

The standouts in the cast include Brad Walker and Kate Moyer as Oberon and Titania. Kevin Schilling steals every scene he is in when dressed up in drag and coerced into bringing out his feminine side. Kris Hambrick brings an appropriate amount of carefree spirit to her performance as the rascally Puck.

But the real star of the production is the 1950s rock and roll setting that brings its audience back to familiar high school clichés. Even for audiences not too familiar with The Bard, BLT's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a ride that is as fun as the most wild of dreams.