We've been to some great shows by Ib Anderson and crew and then some that were merely pretty good.
A Midsummer Night's Dream was one of those that I would easily categorize as pretty good -- highly entertaining, but also lacking, perhaps because it was treated as a more minor production than the upcoming Nutcracker (always a big hit). It seems that each year, Ballet AZ gets noticeably better over the course of the season and this one is no different.
Here's the reason for my lackluster review this time. It just seemed that the ensemble dance pieces during Friday night's performance were largely neglected and therefore not well coordinated between the performers, yet I happen to know that Ballet AZ has some amazing talent. Also, there were a few stylistic choices that I thought were bad: Oberon's costuming was a little too effeminate, as was the dancing of the wood nymphs during the first act. Then in act II, they squandered several huge opportunities for brilliant ensemble pieces as the grand finale. And everyone knows the tune of Mendelssohn's Wedding March, so why not have a little more fun with it than a very conventional wedding scene?
Despite any of my minor criticism, you will still be happy with a trip to the ballet. Ib Anderson really has continued making a name for himself with an incredibly fun version of the Nutcracker each year and brilliant performances by his lead dancers.