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Forsythe’s
A Midsummer Night's Dream_White

Mar 19–27, 2027

A little magic. A lot of mischief. One unforgettable night.

CHOREOGRAPHER

George Balanchine

COMPOSER

Felix Mendelssohn

Scenic and Costume Designer

Christian Lacroix

Lighting Designer

Jennifer Tipton

Visuals Credit

San Francisco Ballet School Students in Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream // Choreography by George Balanchine © The Balanchine Trust; Photo © Lindsay Thomas

Run Time

Act I – 1 hour, 12 minutes
Intermission – 25 minutes
Act II – 34 minutes

Total – 2 hours, 11 minutes

Location

War Memorial Opera House

Enter Shakespeare’s enchanted forest—a lush world brimming with magic, woodland creatures, and delightful disorder. Set to Felix Mendelssohn’s luminous score, George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream conjures a world where mischievous fairies, bewitched lovers, and bumbling mortals collide in a swirl of magic and mayhem. Balanchine’s sparkling choreography brings every moment vividly and luminously to life. Exquisitely crafted costumes and dreamlike sets by iconic French designer Christian Lacroix—created for the Paris Opera Ballet—wrap every scene in shimmering splendor. Joyful, radiant, and utterly transporting, this production is pure enchantment for dreamers of all ages.

Run Time

Act I – 1 hour, 12 minutes
Intermission – 25 minutes
Act II – 34 minutes

Total – 2 hours, 11 minutes

Location

War Memorial Opera House

2026–2027 Season

Experience ballet’s past, present, and future

This season traces the throughlines of a living art form, honoring the legendary choreographers, composers, and designers who made ballet what it is today, while championing the voices moving it forward.

Season Packages

Save with a season package

Purchase a package to lock in your seats at the best rates, plus subscriber perks like fee-free ticket exchanges and exclusive Nutcracker discounts. Choose the complete journey with the Principal 6 Series, select a curated themed Mini Package, or tailor your own lineup with a Create Your Own package.

PREMIERES

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Ballet in Two Acts and Six Scenes
World Premiere:

January 17, 1962—New York City Ballet, City Center of Music and Drama; New York, New York

SF Ballet Premiere:

March 12, 1985—War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California

© The George Balanchine Trust

SUPPORT FOR San Francisco Ballet PROUDLY PROVIDED BY

Grants for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
SF Ballet Premiere

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SF Ballet Premiere

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SF Ballet Premiere

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