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By John Posada

originally published: 03/31/2023 

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- On March 26, the Atlantic City Ballet performed "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Caesars and photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos. Founding Artistic Director/Choreographer Phyllis Papa first choreographed the classic Shakespeare play as a ballet in 2006, following the comic storyline and it has remained in the repertoire for the AC Ballet.

The ballet takes place in a forest near Athens, one Midsummer Eve. In a forest near the Duke’s palace, Oberon, King of the Fairies, and Titania, his queen, quarrel over the Indian child they both want. Oberon orders Puck to bring the flower pierced by Cupid’s arrow (which causes anyone coming under its influence to fall in love with the first person the eyes behold). While Titania is asleep and unknowingly, he casts the flower’s spell over her. Meanwhile, Helena wandering in the woods, meets Demetrius, whom she loves, but he does not love her. Demetrius rejects her and goes his way. Oberon watches and tells Puck to use the flower on Demetrius so that he may return Helena’s affection. Another couple, Hermia and Lysander, very much in love, are also wandering in the forest but become separated. Puck, eager to carry out Oberon’s orders, mistakenly anoints Lysander. Helena appears, and Lysander, under the flower’s spell, at once and, to her amazement, tells her how much he loves her. Hermia returns and is astonished and then dismayed to see Lysander paying attention only to Helena. Puck also brings Demetrius under the flower’s spell, much to the delight of Helena, who doesn’t care for Lysander. Demetrius and Lysander, now both in love with Helena, begin to quarrel over her. Puck, at Oberon’s order, has separated Bottom, a weaver, from his companions, transformed his head into that of an ass, and placed him at the sleeping Titania’s feet. Awakening, Titania sees Bottom, thinks him fair, and pays him close and loving attention.

At last, Oberon, his anger over, has Bottom sent away and releases Titania from her spell. Hermia now receives no attention paid to her, and Helena receives too much. The men, completely at odds, quarrel seriously and begin to fight. Puck, by his magic, causes them to separate. They lose one another and wander apart in the forest until exhausted, they fall asleep, with Puck arranging for Helena to fall asleep beside Demetrius and Lysander (his spell removed) by Hermia. The Duke and Hippolyta discover the lovers asleep in the forest, awaken them, find their differences are resolved and proclaim a triple wedding for themselves and the two couples. 

At the Court of Theseus.

The second act opens in the Duke’s palace with parades, dancing, and divertissements in honor of the newly married couples. When the celebrations are over and the mortals retire, we return to the demesne of Oberon and Titania, who are now reunited and at peace. At last, Puck, having put order into disorder, sweeps away the remnants of the night’s doings. The fireflies twinkle in the night and reclaim the forest.

 

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The AC Ballet will complete its Spring season with a performance of Carmen on Saturday, April 15th. Phyllis Papa’s Carmen first premiered at the Landis Theater on April 13, 2013. Since then this ballet has been a favorite for long time patrons and its addition to the Spring line up has been the most anticipated event of the season. Tickets for all performances can be purchased by going to www.acballet.org

Here are more photos from "A Midsummer Night's Dream".

Founded in 1982, by International Ballerina, Phyllis Papa, the Atlantic City Ballet is comprised of professional dancers from around the world. Although their home base is in Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, the Ballet has performed in theaters all along the east coast and across the country. Their repertoire of original works includes such classics as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake but Ms. Papa is most known for her innovative works such as Dracula, Caught Up In The Swing and her full length Carmen. Since its inception, the Atlantic City Ballet has served as one of the cultural treasures of New Jersey and continues a tradition of dance excellence for future generations of ballet audiences.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in live theatre and music performances. For more than 10 years, John has photographed live music events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions to capture that perfect moment that tells a story in a single image. Currently, John has photographed over 110 productions for over 70 different theatres and venues. Click here for John's website.

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