Columbia Music Festival Association will present Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream April 28 at 10 am and 7:30 pm at the Township Auditorium.
The production of William Shakespeare’s classic is one of the signature ballet works of Carolina Ballet. The production was originally choreographed by company founder and South Carolina dance legend, Ann Brodie in March, 1978, for the original Columbia City Ballet.
The production marked the debut of William Starrett for Columbia audiences. With prima ballerina Lou Martin dancing the role of Tatania, Queen of the Fairies, and Starrett as her King, Oberon, the role of Puck was created by Bobby Bullock.
Sakura Oka, Guest Artist in Residence, will dance the lead role of Tatania, Queen of the Fairies. Oka, a native of Japan has received national and international awards. She has appeared as guest artist throughout the United States, and is often featured, as her schedule allows, as leading guest artist with the Carolina Ballet. The role of Oberon will be danced by Caleb Roberts. Roberts began his dance training with the Carolina Ballet under at the Center for Dance Education under the tutelage of Mimi Worrell. Roberts has danced with the Boston Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet and the Columbia City Ballet. He is appearing in this production courtesy of the Ft. Wayne Ballet.
The role of Puck, the mischievous forest sprite who causes the mayhem and confusion of the play will be danced by Ihosvany Rodriguez. Born in Mantanzas, Cuba, he has danced with the National Ballet of Cuba where he toured throughout Latin America and Europe. He is a frequent guest artist throughout the United States and is a regular performer with the Carolina Ballet.
The Rustics, the comic relief for the ballet will be portrayed by Aaron Griswold, Ian Kell, Quinn Mangum, and Corey Summerall.
Jimmy Moon will portray the role of Nick Bottom, a weaver. Moon has danced this role in two previous Carolina Ballet productions. The role calls for a blend of comic character acting with a poignant dance style as Bottom – turned into an ass by the antics of Puck – becomes the love interest for Tatania, the Queen of the Fairies. Together they dance a bittersweet, short “pas de deux.”Jimmy Moon, whose acting credits not only include off-Broadway, as well as independent films, is an artist well-known to the Columbia Audiences for his work with community theatre.
The Artistic Director, Mimi Worrell, also a student of Ann Brodie’s and a principal dancer with the Columbia City Ballet, South Carolina Ballet Theatre and Ballet Michigan, has recreated this ballet as repetiteur.
Lawrence Ogina will dance the role of Theseus, Duke of Athens, with Emmaline Sloan as Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. Ogina, a native of Kenya, studied under Cooper Rust and Dance Center Kenya
The lovers, Lysander and Hermia will be danced by Jordan Samuels and Elizabeth-Gray Rivers with Nicholas White as Demetrius and Sarah Beth Burt dancing Helena.
Tickets for A Midsummer Night’s Dream are $12 for the Morning matinee and $22, $17, and $12 for students and military for the evening performance. They are on sale now at the Township Box Office. Ticket reservations may be made by calling the Township at: 803-576-2350 or for Group Tickets and group rates by calling 803-771-6303.