Enter the enchanted land of A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“Full of laughter and enchantment”
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The comical, twisted love triangle set amongst a magical fairy kingdom is making its way back to the Koger Center Stage on Saturday, January 31st at 3:00 and 7:30 pm in South Carolina Ballet’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring live music by The South Carolina Ballet Orchestra conducted by Scott Weiss.
The ballet that first brought our Artistic Director, William Starrett, to Columbia in 1977, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, brings the whimsy and magic of Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedy to the stage for the seventh time in 41 years. Four lovers and a troupe of amateur actors are caught in a quarrel between Oberon and Titania, King and Queen of the fairies, turning their world upside down with hilarious consequences. Starrett creates a performance offering a blend of comedy, classical dance, and modern-day storytelling – all in one spell-binding event, perfect for the entire family.
First choreographed by Starrett in 1987 and inspired by the interpretation of renowned British choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton, this year’s production also features the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra with Scott Weiss conducting the Mendelssohn score, noted as a remarkably integrated, unified, and seamless work of theatrical music. Composed specifically for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the score contains one of the most ubiquitous pieces of music ever written, “The Wedding March,” which Mendelssohn wrote as the intermezzo between two acts. Supported by the philanthropic members of South Carolina Ballet’s Dream Team, the South Carolina Ballet Orchestra continues our commitment to a tradition of live music.
South Carolina Ballet presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Koger Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 27th at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.kogercenterforthearts.com, at the Koger Center box office or by calling (803)-251-2222.
A Fairy Tea will be held at 1:30 p.m., prior to the matinee performance on Jan. 27th. This enchanting children’s event will feature a sit-down tea with cakes, cookies and lots of surprises including appearances by the lead characters from the ballet. Children will learn the story of A Midsummer Night’s Dream while they participate in fun activities and have their picture taken with the Columbia City Ballet stars. Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased in advance at by calling Columbia City Ballet’s offices at (803)799-7605.
