A Midsummer Night's Dream

The rules of everyday reality are transcended by the spells of the impish Puck, the enchantments of the forest, and, ultimately, love in George Balanchine’s evening-length adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Premiering in 1962, the ballet translates the classic comedy into classical dance, as mischief and mayhem precede the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta, Duke of Athens and Queen of the Amazons. With Felix Mendelssohn’s indelible score and a cast combining both deeply human and fantastical characters, it remains a cherished story ballet in the company’s repertory.