A Midsummer Night's Dream

Artists of the Colorado Ballet Photo: Andrew Fassbender

In commissioning (now two-time Tony Award®-winning) choreographer Christopher Wheeldon to create this story for them in 1997, the Colorado Ballet showed a great deal of faith in the then fledgling choreographer. They were well rewarded. Wheeldon's production is not only faithful to the play, but takes what can be a confusing plot—of lovers falling in and out of love with their partners and other partners' partners—and, with the selective use of mime and expressive movement, clarifies the action, including some funny, melodramatic previews before each act.

Combining this broad sense of humor with inventive storytelling and marvelous flying effects that enhance Felix Mendelssohn's famous score—sumptuously delivered by Adam Flatt and the orchestra—Wheeldon's ballet effortlessly invokes the magical world of fairies, a genre that, in fact, began with this Shakespearean tale.

Kevin Gaël Thomas as Puck, Christophor Moulton as Oberon, and Jennifer Grace as Titania Photo: Andrew Fassbender

From the moment that Puck sails in through the trees until the lovers are united to the tunes of Mendelssohn's stately wedding march in the great hall, followed by Oberon and Titania's sweet reconciliation, we are seamlessly transported back to mythical Athens and its surrounding, supernatural woods.

On Saturday night, March 14th, the elegant Jennifer Grace and the stately Christophor Moulton, as Oberon and Titania, drew us in with their regal atmospherics and otherworldly costumes, kept us enthralled with their alternately disputatious and soulful encounters, and took our breath away with their final heartfelt and ethereal pas de deux under a glorious full moon backdrop.

Patrick Mihm as Lysander and Ever Larson as Hermia Photo: Andrew Fassbender

The four lovers, Sara Thomas, Jonnathan Ramirez, Ever Larson, and Patrick Mihm are delightfully campy as they chase one another's tails in circles, wrestling with each other and their mercurial affections, all a result of the mischievious and error-prone Puck (Kevin Gaël Thomas). Puck's flying maneuvers are a huge "Wow!" factor.

Leah McFadden's Peaseblossom and Ariel McCarty's and Catherine McGregor's Demi Fairies spin off scintillating baubles of virtuosity, in mirthful contrast to Gregory K. Gonzales's earthy and delightfully soft-headed Bottom. We also loved the ensemble's occasional asynchronous choreography and the slapstick and sword play.

Leah McFadden as Peaseblossom Photo: Andrew Fassbender

The cast is supplemented by the crowd-pleasing addition of dozens of children in the roles of faeries, cupids, and sprites (adorned with lovely gossamer wings), as well as the angelic voices of the Colorado Children's Chorale. This year's production also features fabulous new costumes and sets by the internationally acclaimed designer Robert Perdziola.

It's almost spring. Soon the pollen will be flying. Be forewarned! April fools and the lusty month of May are just around the corner!

The Colorado Ballet's fanciful production of A Midsummer Night's Dream ran through March 15th. The Colorado Ballet's season concludes with Masterworks, April 10th through 19th. Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at www.coloradoballet.org or call Patron Services at (303) 339-1637.

Bob Bows