Chicago Tribune - Highly Recommended
"...Dreams are often fodder for ballets. Solor takes an opium-induced voyage to the Kingdom of the Shades in “La Bayadere.” There’s Marie’s dreamy trip to the Kingdom of the Sweets (or, in Joffrey’s case, the World’s Columbian Exposition) in “The Nutcracker.” In every case, suspension of disbelief is a useful tool, as it is here. But “Midsummer” is more David Lynch than Marius Petipa. The latter was unapologetic about making exhibition pieces. The former seems to shroud profound meaning in a ridiculous package — not unlike the festivities “Midsummer Night’s Dream” seeks to unpack."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...The Joffrey Ballet has overtaken the Lyric Opera House with a gorgeous, sensual Scandinavian solstice celebration with its rendition of Alexander Ekman’s lush 2015 ballet Midsummer Night’s Dream. It is an astonishing work of art."
WTTW - Highly Recommended
"...It is a very good bet that you have never seen (and might never see) anything quite like Swedish-born choreographer Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” unless you were fortunate enough to see it at its North American premiere by the Joffrey Ballet in 2018. And if you were lucky enough to catch that grand-scale, eye-popping, subtly sexy and altogether absurdly fantastical production — a celebration of the summer solstice and the Scandinavian Midsummer holiday — you are sure to want to see it again on the vast stage of the company’s home at the Lyric Opera House, where, it should be noted, the show is setting records with its large audiences."
Third Coast Review - Highly Recommended
"...I was not exactly expecting Puck and the other fairies when I sat down to watch the new production by the Joffrey Ballet. This Midsummer Night's Dream is Sweden's celebration of the Solstice and a joyous goodbye to darkness. It's more overtly carnal and deliciously trippy than Shaikespeare's version. To my delight, this was not anything like 16th-century England. Choreographer Alexander Ekman brings pre-Christianity Pagan Sweden magically to life on a spring night in Chicago. The Joffrey Ballet imbues Ekman's choreography with the energy and elan of a world-class dance ensemble."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...Sometimes, a once clear line between dream and reality will blur. A fantastic and boundless dreamscape may blend into everyday surroundings causing tired eyes confusion as they awake and search for clarity in the recognizable. This uncertainty might conjure up an unease followed by an urge to ascribe meaning to the dream and the desire to still be in it. How chaotic and beautiful. Then, an alarm goes off. Time to start another day."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...My friend and I simply adored Midsummer's Night Dream. We had never seen a ballet performance quite like this one, which was perfected by the always talented Joffrey Ballet ensemble. This was not your typical, traditional classic ballet. Instead, we were pampered with a production full of fantasy and creativity. We would not expect less from the Joffrey. It was a very well choreographed artistic performance of crafted precision, artistry, dedication and energy."
BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended
"...This production is setting records at the Lyric with large audiences. It’s a short run. If you have been timid about attending a ballet performance, this is a wonderful introduction. Seeing is believing. Just be careful what you eat before you go to sleep. The Solstice is just around the corner…."