Ballet Des Moines company dancer Chiyo Nishida plays Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” April 26-28. (Photo: Jami Milne)
This weekend Ballet Des Moines presents “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It’s a hilarious twist on the Shakespeare classic, in which mischievous fairies, jesters and a love-inducing flower wreak havoc on everyone’s romantic plans.
The company’s artistic director, Tom Mattingly, has coached dancers from across the metro area through the choreography by Peter Anastos, who is known for his humor-infused style. The score by Felix Mendelssohn sets the perfect tone, including the famous “Wedding March” you may remember from Looney Tunes. Local designer Sarah Dornink created the costumes, with a few on loan from Anastos’ previous home at Ballet Idaho.
Before each performance, local artists from the Side Garage will screenprint merch for sale. You can still get tickets for the shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the beautiful Hoyt Sherman Place. But just remember: “The course of true love never did run smooth.”
