Just A Dream: Boston Ballet

I love the power of a well paired juxtaposition. It is part of what I like so much about Boston Ballet’s mixed bill programs like Winter Experience. The Dream is technically one of Boston Ballet’s story ballet nights. Boston Ballet tends to alternate a more contemporary mixed bill program with the story ballet programs. Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream is a one act ballet telling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. My high school friends and I were those day-dreaming nerdy types who would lay on the grass reading Shakespeare together between classes. For those of you who hated Shakespeare though, there is no pop quiz and no need to decipher the language with ballet you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Boston Ballet’s The Dream runs through March 29th at the Boston Opera House. In addition to the Boston premier of Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream you will be treated to the world premiere of My’Kal Stromile’s The Leisurely Installation of a New Window. Tickets for the show can be purchased here. Use code: Cityliving45 for discounted tickets.

There is something special when the buds peak their fuzzy little noses out into the sunshine this time of year. It is a first of the season even if it is something that springs eternal (pun intended). When a company performs a work for the first time, even if the tale is familiar and almost as old as time, there is that same excitement and extra buzz in the air. Tomorrow, Thursday, March 19th 2026, will be the first time Boston Ballet performs The Dream. It will be such a treat for everyone in attendance.

I should say that a knowledge of technique is essential to the full understanding of ballet but not necessary for its appreciation; for the latter I think that emotional or intellectual reaction to the music, movement and decor is quite enough.
–Sir Frederick Ashton

Knowing that all you have to do is, put on something that makes you feel something different, maybe it is beauty, maybe it is festive, maybe it is just a little different from your usual look, maybe it is just adding a little accessory that make you feel like spring and summer are headed our way, show up to the stunning Boston Opera House, and let the performance evoke an emotional or intellectual reaction from you is freeing. Just show up and soak it in. The ballet doesn’t have to be that complicated.

My’Kal Stromile’s The Leisurely Installation of a New Window in contrast to The Dream is a completely new piece created on and for Boston Ballet in its current iteration. My’Kal Stromile’s choreographic process is a conversation with the muse, the inspiration and the dancers themselves, so seeing this work for any of the performances between March 19th and 29th will be as perfect as picking a warm, perfectly ripe, peach off a tree, hungry from a day of living life, biting into it and tasting the sweet juicy perfection of that moment. Moments like those are ephemeral, rare, and must be relished deeply.

As an artist, I see choreography as a dialogue with the world—a continual exchange that engages with the intricacies of culture, history, and human experience. The body holds an extraordinary capacity to convey stories, whether abstract or narrative…
–My’Kal Stromile

I was able to preview The Dream during dress rehearsal, and it was the perfect night of ballet. If you are new to ballet this is a great choice of program to attend. You will get a taste of a recently created, more contemporary ballet, My’Kal Stromile’s, The Leisurely Installation of a New Window, and a classical story ballet, The Dream. This is a great introduction to the ballet and to Boston Ballet.

I loved the combination of electric guitar and orchestra for, The Leisurely Installation of a New Window, it worked so well with the piece. The choreography was complex, but not overworked or obtusely cerebral. I found that often the sheer volume of the orchestra did overpower the movement a little, but that may have been adjusted for the final performance. As for The Dream it is a dream to witness. From the choreography and costumes, to the whimsical setting and special effects.

So, get yourself to the Boston premier of Sir Frederick Ashton’s The Dream and the world premiere of My’Kal Stromile’s The Leisurely Installation of a New Window. Tickets for the show can be purchased here. Use code: Cityliving45 for discounted tickets. As a special treat this spring the Boston Athenaeum is offering a free 1st floor day pass to the Athenaeum when you present your Boston Ballet The Dream ticket (physical or digital).