City Ballet’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ will take place under the stars

by Jessica Mills

elizabeth wistrich's a midsummer night's dream ballet

This July, fairies and love-torn mortals will cross paths in a forest during Pacific Beach-based City Ballet of San Diego and resident choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich’s one-act ballet “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The performance will take place at the University of California San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater.

Based on William Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the ballet is set in Athens, Greece where much confusion ensues by the mischievous fairy Puck and his trickster magic. However, things eventually return to their natural order after Puck reverses his enchantments.

Wistrich explained that the ballet will be performed outdoors for their July 19 and 20 show dates. The ballet will also include the world premiere of resident choreographer Geoff Gonzalez’s “Summer Wind” ballet, featuring orchestrations of classic Frank Sinatra music.

“I think the way the music is put together is very creative and beautiful, performing a nice jazzy touch,” Gonzalez said.

He further stated that the orchestral playing of Sinatra’s music allowed him to “choreograph to my jazz roots and keep the movement as sharp and entertaining as possible.”

Altogether, the performances will run for around two hours, with a 20-minute intermission said City Ballet of San Diego managing director Jo Anne Emery.

Audience members can also order a pre-performance picnic of a light dinner, beverages, snacks, and sweets before the show courtesy of Social Luxury Picnics.

Further information, performance and picnic ticket options, and more can be found at https://cityballet.org/performances/a-midsummer-nights-dream/.