A Midsummer Night’s Dream by The California Ballet Company

Article by Anna Robert

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream – a comedy of love, mischief and mayhem…” Yes, indeed. The title covers pretty much the whole essence of the performance. The California Ballet Company delivered a wonderfully choreographed production based on one of the most popular comedies by William Shakespeare. It is the story about romantic adventures of two couples, their quarrels and reunitings. With music by Felix Mendelsohn, the ballet draws you into the beautiful and romantic world of the magical forest and fairies and elves living in it which makes it ideal for including large children’s casts. It is a special joy to see the beautiful costume design and very sophisticated stage décor.

Jordan Bialock playing one of the main characters – the mischievous elf Puck – is outstanding for her quick, comic detail in her acting and at the same time elegance in her every move. Vitaliy Nechay as Lysander, the lover of Hermia, demonstrates an astonishing power in his dance, while Trystan Merrick in the role of Oberon, King of Faeland, presents a gracious and gorgeous technique.

It was in 1962 when George Balanchine presented his wholly original evening-length ballet “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. As the overture by Mendelsohn for the theatrical play was not long enough for the two-act performance, for 20 years Balanchine studied the composer’s other oeuvre in order to weave together some of his other works. The director and choreographer of the California Ballet follows Balanchine’s traditional storyline, but she expands the show into three acts using more musical pieces by Mendelsohn.

The performance brought even more excitement to the young audience as they were encouraged to dress up as fairies and wear fairy wings in order to participate in the “Fairy Frenzy” costume contest after the show.

For more information visit http://californiaballet.org/