Island Shakespeare Festival on Whidbey Island opens its 2012 summer offering with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” Saturday, Aug. 4 through Aug. 26 at the Storyhouse Stage in Clinton.

Directed by festival founder Rose Woods, the play is one of Shakespeare’s most popular.

With its combination of Puck-punk’d lovers, the elegant and ethereal forest King and Queen of the fairies and their sweet minions and the measured comedic brilliance of Bottom, the overconfident weaver, and his cohort “mechanicals,” the play contains the best of the bards’ chaotic and highly entertaining plots.

Curtain is at 5 p.m. sharp on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Aug. 4 through Aug. 26. Arrive one half hour in advance for the best seating.

The Storyhouse Stage is located at 6449 Old Pietila Road in Clinton.

For details, visit islandshakespearefest.org or call 360-221-1710.