Julie Cox

Nashville Ballet brings its 30th anniversary season to a close with two works choreographed by artistic director and CEO Paul Vasterlling:  a dazzlingly intricate and grand revival of Carmina Burana, set to the timeless music of Carl Orff, and the world premiere of Layla & The Majnun, which features the music of composer Richard Danielpour, which recreates one of the world's oldest love stories from Persian culture.

Looking for something fun to do in Nashville - say, in the next few days or so? That doesn't involve running in the Country Music Marathon? Have no fear, gentle BWW Nashville readers, our team of writers have done the necessary legwork - we're all about saving you time, keeping you out of the marathon traffic and helping you make informed decisions about how to spend your entertainment dollar, after all - and we are delighted to present you with our very first, official Critic's Choice column, filled to the veritable brim with suggestions for great stuff going on around our fair state.

Nashville Ballet is welcoming spring with the return of the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night's Dream featuring the Nashville Symphony at TPAC's Jackson Hall this weekend, April 24-26, 2015.

Nashville Ballet is welcoming spring with the return of the Shakespeare classic A Midsummer Night's Dream featuring the Nashville Symphony at TPAC's Jackson Hall April 24-26, 2015.

Nashville Ballet promises to unveil 'magical surprises' in one of Shakespeare's favorite comedies with the world premiere of Paul Vasterling's original adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, April 23-25, in Andrew Jackson Hall at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Bringing the written word to life through Mendelssohn's music and the narrative of dance, audiences will watch as Puck plays tricks on the ill-fated lovers in the enchanted forest and as the antics of the midsummer's night become resolved by the light of the day.

Nashville Ballet unveils magical surprises in one of Shakespeare's favorite comedies in the World Premiere of Paul Vasterling's original adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, April 23-25, 2010. Bringing the written word to life through Mendelssohn's music and the narrative of dance, audiences will delight as Puck plays tricks on the ill-fated lovers in the enchanted forest and as the antics of the midsummer's night become resolved by the light of the day. Costumes and sets are being designed by Campbell Baird, the talented designer who created costumes for our new Nutcracker. Each performance will be accompanied by the Nashville Symphony, directed by Nashville Ballet Music Director Paul Gambill, vocalists Julie Cox and Amy Jarman and the sixty-eight voice Nashville Children's Choir, directed by Dr. Madeline Bridges.

The resulting production that comes from Vasterling's unerringly skillful choreography and his clearly developed vision for the piece - exquisitely expressed through Baird's costume and scenic design, Scott Leathers' stunningly evocative lighting design and the beautiful music of Felix Mendelssohn performed by members of the Nashville Symphony under the baton of Nashville Ballet music director Paul Gambill - is a rousing and fitting conclusion to the company's 24th season, clearly paving the way to a stellar silver anniversary season that will open next fall with a full production of Swan Lake.

Nashville Ballet promises to unveil 'magical surprises' in one of Shakespeare's favorite comedies with the world premiere of Paul Vasterling's original adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, April 23-25, in Andrew Jackson Hall at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Bringing the written word to life through Mendelssohn's music and the narrative of dance, audiences will watch as Puck plays tricks on the ill-fated lovers in the enchanted forest and as the antics of the midsummer's night become resolved by the light of the day.

Nashville Ballet unveils magical surprises in one of Shakespeare's favorite comedies in the World Premiere of Paul Vasterling's original adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, April 23-25, 2010. Bringing the written word to life through Mendelssohn's music and the narrative of dance, audiences will delight as Puck plays tricks on the ill-fated lovers in the enchanted forest and as the antics of the midsummer's night become resolved by the light of the day. Costumes and sets are being designed by Campbell Baird, the talented designer who created costumes for our new Nutcracker. Each performance will be accompanied by the Nashville Symphony, directed by Nashville Ballet Music Director Paul Gambill, vocalists Julie Cox and Amy Jarman and the sixty-eight voice Nashville Children's Choir, directed by Dr. Madeline Bridges.

Nashville Ballet promises to unveil 'magical surprises' in one of Shakespeare's favorite comedies with the world premiere of Paul Vasterling's original adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, April 23-25, in Andrew Jackson Hall at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Bringing the written word to life through Mendelssohn's music and the narrative of dance, audiences will watch as Puck plays tricks on the ill-fated lovers in the enchanted forest and as the antics of the midsummer's night become resolved by the light of the day.

Nashville Ballet unveils magical surprises in one of Shakespeare's favorite comedies in the World Premiere of Paul Vasterling's original adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream, April 23-25, 2010. Bringing the written word to life through Mendelssohn's music and the narrative of dance, audiences will delight as Puck plays tricks on the ill-fated lovers in the enchanted forest and as the antics of the midsummer's night become resolved by the light of the day. Costumes and sets are being designed by Campbell Baird, the talented designer who created costumes for our new Nutcracker. Each performance will be accompanied by the Nashville Symphony, directed by Nashville Ballet Music Director Paul Gambill, vocalists Julie Cox and Amy Jarman and the sixty-eight voice Nashville Children's Choir, directed by Dr. Madeline Bridges.