Evanston Dance Ensemble Premieres Adaptation Of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

The Evanston Dance Ensemble (EDE) crowns its 21st season March 15th - 18th with their new adaptation of Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream featuring an original score, original choreography and new production design. Highly regarded for past adaptations of classics including Alice in Wonderland and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe this much anticipated production is EDE's exciting first-ever retelling of one of Shakespeare's works.

A Midsummer Night's Dream will be presented at the 288-seat Josephine Louis Theater, at Northwestern University's Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts. Adapted from Shakespeare and choreographed by Artistic Directors Christina Ernst and Béa Rashid, the production will feature an original score by Steve Rashid (Emmy and Jeff-Award winning stage and film composer), and additional choreography by an all-star team of choreographers. Original design for EDE's world premiere of A Midsummer Night's Dream will be provided by Izumi Inaba (Costumes), José Manuel Díaz-Soto (Scenic), Becca Jeffords (Lighting) and Joe Burke (Projection).

Speaking about the World Premiere, co-director Rashid revealed that, "using Shakespeare to inspire dance is really no different than adapting any author's work: a good story is a good story. In A Midsummer Night's Dream there is love, loss, comedy, magic and much more." Likewise, co-director Ernst emphasized that the production is a "wonderful shared expression of the talented artistic team of collaborators. Through movement, music and visual design the audience will not only experience this delightful story, but it will also awaken their own imaginations." Composer Rashid intoned that when "the subject is Shakespeare the challenges, risks, and potential rewards are all heightened - it's exciting" and that for him "watching one's music transformed into physical movement and travel across the stage is an exhilarating and moving experience."

Performances begin Thursday, March 15th and Friday, March 16th both at 7:00 pm, continuing Saturday, March 17th and Sunday March 18th at 1:00 and 4:00 pm each day. Tickets are available at http://www.tinyurl.com/ededream or by calling the box office at 847-491-7282. Thursday evening's tickets are just $15. Tickets on Friday through Sunday are $16 for kids/students and $24 for adults.

Immediately after the 4:00 pm performance on Saturday at 6:30 pm, EDE will stage its annual benefit extravaganza -- The Fantastical Dance: A Night of Dreams -- at their home, Studio5 Performing Arts Center, adjacent to Dance Center Evanston at 1934 W. Dempster in Evanston. There will be fantastical food, entertainment, and dancing as supporters and the EDE celebrate their 21st season. Reservations are available at www.greenvelope.com/event/fancy18 .

The Evanston Dance Ensemble is the youth dance company in residence at Dance Center Evanston with members ranging in age from 12 to 18. Over the past 21 seasons, EDE has gained a reputation for creating productions that are accessible and entertaining to audiences of all ages. The ensemble continues to devote itself to nurturing the power and artistry of talented young adults by creating inventive performances and programs of the highest quality, reflecting the diversity of our community and fostering inclusivity, collaboration, and creative expression. For additional information on the Evanston Dance Ensemble, visit www.evanstondanceensemble.org or call 847.328.6683.

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