A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Enter Shakespeare’s enchanted forest of whimsy, mistaken identity, and jest—where fairies rule and love (eventually) reigns supreme. This Shakespearean favorite returns triumphantly to our season after its 2020 run was sadly cut short. Created in 1962 to music by Felix Mendelssohn, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was George Balanchine’s first original full-length ballet and quickly hailed as a masterpiece—think adventures and misadventures, mischief and magic, woodland creatures and fairyland foibles. Beautiful costume and set designs by Martin Pakledinaz and radiant, magical choreography make this ballet a delight for all ages.

“[A Midsummer Night's Dream] is charming, good fun, delightful escapism . . . a dazzling romp.” – DanceTabs

“Beautifully filmed and danced, [A Midsummer Night's Dream] was just the tonic for a cold, grey, snowy winter day.” – SeeingDance

*Note: A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be an archival capture.

Casting

Orchestra

Staged by: Sandra Jennings
Additional Coaching by: Helgi Tomasson
Scenic & Costume Design: Martin Pakledinaz
Lighting Design: Randall G. Chiarelli
Directed for the Screen by: Frank Zamacona

World Premiere: January 17, 1962—New York City Ballet, City Center of Music and Drama; New York, New York

San Francisco Ballet Premiere: March 12, 1985—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California

This presentation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is made possible by Lead Sponsors Dr. Sunnie Evers, Thomas E. Horn, Marie and Barry Lipman, Mr. James D. Marver, Christine Russell and Mark Schlesinger, Judy C. Swanson, and Diane B. Wilsey; Major Sponsors Kathleen Scutchfield, and Jennifer and Steven Walske; and Sponsors John G. Capo and Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, Ms. Laura Clifford, Drs. Richard D. and Patricia Gibbs, Dr. Jane Gitschier, and Mr. and Mrs. Norman C. Pease.

Music: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, Op. 21; selections from A Midsummer Night’s Dream Incidental Music, Op. 61; Overture to Athalie, Op. 74; The Fair Melusine Overture, Op. 32; Overture to The First Walpurgis Night, Op. 60; Allegro and Andante from Symphony No. 9 for Strings; Son and Stranger Overture, Op. 89. This performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a Balanchine^© Ballet, is presented by arrangement with the George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style^© and Balanchine Technique^© service standards established and provided by the Trust. Scenery, Properties, and Costumes Courtesy of PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET, Peter Boal, Artistic Director.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM