From the introduction:
Several years ago a pair of neophyte theatrical producers decided to put on a new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. With a somewhat limited budget they went with relative unknowns for several significant roles. Set designer Elizabeth Faulkner acquired a striking tapestry depicting a faerie-filled forest from an estate sale and planned to use it as a centerpiece of the backdrop. Unfortunately the tapestry was enchanted. During the first dress rehearsal, some combination of verses from the play and the handling of the tapestry during set up activated an ancient ritual. By Act IV, Scene I, a gateway to the faerie lands was opened in the middle of the stage. Bolts of mystic energy crackled through the air, transforming props and sets into living things. Four members of cast and crew were also transformed by the magical forces into . . . something else. Fortunately when the actor playing Oberon commanded the gateway to close, it did. But the changes that had been wrought remained in place. Among them were the unfortunate individuals whom Fleet Street soon dubbed The Fantastics (after an initial article confused the upcoming production with another show currently running in the same theater space). For John Baker (“Bottom”), Elizabeth Faulkner (“Motif”), Callista Messing (“Robin Goodfellow”), and Tommy Pendleton (“Tommy Shade”), life would never be the same again.