Ballet Misha will perform an original ballet adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Concord Audi and on Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. at the John Hay Estate at the Fells in Newbury.
The ballet is choreographed by Ballet Misha Director Amy Fortier, is set to the beautiful Mendelssohn score and will be performed by Ballet Misha’s professional dancers, as well as Ballet Misha’s apprentice company and students from its affiliate school Dimensions in Dance of Manchester.
The ballet conveys the story of Shakespeare’s fickle lovers, a duke about to get married, a feuding fairy king and queen, and a mischievous hobgoblin named Puck who interferes in it all.
“I first performed in a ballet version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in high school, and I knew then I would love the opportunity to choreograph my own version someday,” said Director Amy Fortier.
Fortier explains her choreography, which was originally set in 2010, was inspired by the emotional gambit Shakespeare weaves through this play.
“Shakespeare draws many parallels between the mortal world and fairy world, and I have tried to do this choreographically by creating dance themes that are repeated by both the mortals and the faeries,” Fortier said.
Kelly Diamond of Concord will be dancing the role of the Fairy Queen Titania.
“I am thoroughly enjoying this role, and I am excited to bring Titania to life. As the fairy queen, she is strong and commanding, yet playful and dreamy,” said Diamond. “This ballet has a little something for everyone to enjoy- drama, humor, and connection.”
Joey Richardson, 14, of Hopkinton, will dance the role of Puck, who spends half the ballet interfering in relationships and playing pranks.
“It is so fun to play such a mischievous character who is the main cause of all the chaos in the ballet,” said Richardson, who also enjoys portraying such a central character.
Alyssa Desruisseaux of Hooksett will dance the role of Queen Hippolyta.
“The Queen is one of the only characters to exist wholly outside of the fairy realm. My hope is to bring a quality to the human realm that makes it magical and beautiful in its own right,” Desruisseaux said.
Nathan Duszny of Merrimack will perform as Oberon. Duszny has performed as Puck before with Ballet Misha, but he is playing Oberon for the first time.
“The two roles couldn’t be more opposite of each other. One is a jealous but loving king, the other a mischievous child-like fairy who only wants to have fun. It is a rare honor to play both of these roles in a lifetime,” Duszny said. “Ballet Misha always goes above and beyond to bring the stage to life with beautiful sets and costumes, and the dancers are some of the best in New Hampshire.”
This is Ballet Misha’s fourth production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but they are excited to be performing it in Concord and Sunapee for the first time.
“I love the historic Concord Audi Theatre. It is such a jewel, and its beautifully refurbished proscenium provides such a lovely frame around our dancers,” said Fortier.
At the Fells Estate in Newbury, Ballet Misha will be performing outside under their pavilion, and the seating is Cabaret style, allowing guests to enjoy a picnic dinner while watching.
Ballet Misha started partnering with The Fells for arts programming a few years ago, and Fortier thought performing the ballet outdoors was very appealing, especially in a spot as picturesque as the Fells Estate.
Tickets are $25-$35 and are available for both performances at balletmisha.com.