Nashville Ballet Welcomes Spring with A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at TPAC This Weekend

Nashville Ballet is welcoming spring with the return of the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night's Dream featuring the Nashville Symphony at TPAC's Jackson Hall this weekend, April 24-26, 2015.

The family-friendly production, which premiered in 2010, follows three intertwining plots: the marriage of Duke of Athens, the entangled romance between two sets of lovers, and a dispute between the King and Queen of the Fairies. The mischievous Puck tries to set things right with a love potion, but unexpected consequences lead to a hilarious series of events over the course of one fateful midsummer's eve.

"As the original romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream uses slapstick humor and never-ending mischief to tell a story that's ultimately about relationships," Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling said. "Our version breathes new life into this beloved tale through projected surtitles and color-coded wardrobe, making it accessible for all ages."

This year's presentation displays the talents of Nashville's residency arts organizations and several guest artists. A youth cast of more than 30 students age 8-18 from School of Nashville Ballet perform as fairies and nymphs. The Nashville Symphony performs Felix Mendelssohn's score under guest conductor Beatrice Affron of the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra. The Nashville Children's Choir led by Co-Director Madeline Bridges offer their voices as angels. Renowned guest vocalist sopranos Julie Cox and Vicki White perform as well.

"The Nashville Ballet's A Midsummer Night's Dream is the most magical version of the play I've ever seen," Nashville Shakespeare Festival Executive Artistic Director Denice Hicks said. "The comedic character work of the dancers is especially brilliant, and you won't see more romantic lovers anywhere."

A Midsummer Night's Dream is presented by nFocus Magazine. Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased in person at the TPAC box office in downtown Nashville, by phone at (615) 782-4040 or at www.nashvilleballet.com. A complete performance schedule and more information can be found here.

Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company NB2 (a pre-professional training company) serve nearly 60,000 adults and children annually through performances and our outreach and community engagement programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet provides world-class instruction in ballet and other forms of dance for dancers of all ages.

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