San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) continues to stage A Midsummer Night’s Dream, George Balanchine’s choreographic take on the classic tale by William Shakespeare, through 23rd. This marks the North American debut of iconic French designer Christian Lacroix’s lavish production and costume designs.
A tale of love, magic, and revelry that’s fun for the entire family, A Midsummer Night’s Dream includes music by Felix Mendelssohn performed by Volti San Francisco and the SF Ballet Orchestra and a cast of more than 100 dancers. Lacroix’s designs were commissioned by the Paris Opera Ballet, debuted in Paris in 2017, and include intricate and imaginative embroidery, Sophie Hallette lace, and one million Swarovski crystals, creating a visual feast for audiences and bringing the glamour of Parisian couture and scenery to the San Francisco stage.
Bay Area dance critic Joanna Harris (bayareastringer.com), notes in a recent review that it is an unqualified success:
Compliments and kudos to all: Sasha De Sola (Titania) Esteban Hernandez (Oberon) and wild applause for Cavan Conley as Puck! Bottom was comically portrayed by Alexis Francisco Valdes, bravely and delightfully even wearing the donkey head. We were even treated to the dancing of Nikisha Fogo as Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons. All this and the company and school’s children as principles, pages, butterflies and courtiers. In the pit, with the fine SFB orchestra (conducted by Martin West)….