SF Ballet MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Turns into a Nightmare

The premiere production of San Francisco Ballet's MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in March of 2022 had an inauspicious opening. As noted in today's program, "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM now holds a prominent, if notorious, place in San Francisco Ballet's history. On March 6,2020, the opening night of MIDSUMMER also became its closing night. Midway through the performance, the mayor's office announced that the War Memorial Opera House complex would be closed to public performances because of a troubling new coronavirus.... Although no one knew it at the time, the rest of the 2020 season as well as the 2021 season would be cancelled, and MIDSUMMER wouldn't return live until 2024. Now, March 16th, 2024 portended one of San Francisco cherished spring days with sailboats in the bay on a clear, sunny day. The well attended performance included families with children dressed in their best and ushers coiffed with wreaths of flowers in keeping with the magical allure of George Balanchine's ballet adapted from Shakespeare romantic comedy of unrequited love. The long overture of Felix Mendehlssohn's composition set an exhilarating tone. The Opera House curtains rose revealing a faintly lit scene in a lush forest, Huge trees cascading slowly downward creating a densely layered set. The stunning costumes were created by powerhouse fashion designer Christian Lacroix. The royal lovers were draped in rich velvets in ruby red and emerald green. The happily paired couple wore matching green costumes while unrequited lovers were donned in red. Costuming for young dancers portraying sprites were in earth shades of amber and moss with tattered hems and headgear sprouting antennas. Puck's costume lent an ethereal shimmer adding to the whimsy and nimbleness of the character. Balanchine, arguably the most important ballet choreographer of the 20th C, created versatile movements lending angst to despondent lovers with nubile movements. Puck's dancing was agile and lofty. His dancing dazzled with musicality and comedic aplomb.  I along with the audience was swept up in the grandeur of the dancing, music and staging when theater house lights started flashing which was disruptive and confusing. As some patrons started to exit an announcement was made to remain seated and wait for further instructions. Not heeding to stay seated, I rose without further adieu. I flew the coupe, making it out just before the alarms sounded again and the entire house poured out the doors. The ushers in their floral headdress shut and barred the entrance doors.  Fire Trucks soon pulled up in front and alongside the building. While some guests waited patiently and optimistically to be allowed to reenter, many departed.  The pranks inherent in MIDSUMMER are welcomed, bomb threats are not only frowned upon, they're illegal. Puck is a prankster but a real prick is the gangster who spoiled a promising foray, making it another fiasco.