If you go
› What: “The Sleeping Beauty Act III: Aurora’s Wedding”› Where: Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.› When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6› Admission: $17 adults, $15 children and senior adults› For more information: chattanoogaballet.net
Combining fairy-tale charm with royal grandeur, Chattanooga Ballet will present Act III of the classic fairy tale, "The Sleeping Beauty," along with new contemporary works in two performances May 5 and 6 at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.
Company Artistic Director Andrew Parker has created a production of elegance and beauty for all ages.The production features detailed, colorful, dazzling costumes on loan from Dallas.
In his new staging created specifically for Chattanooga Ballet, Parker has included excerpts from other sections of the fairy-tale ballet, including the "Garland Waltz" and several of the beautiful "Prologue Variations."
The leading roles will be danced by Chattanooga Ballet artists Samantha Sole, as Princess Aurora, and Dillon Davis, as Prince Desire. The Lilac Fairy will be performed by Nena Widtfeldt, and the Bluebird pas de deux will be danced by Caroline Blair and guest artist Cole Companion.
"In my second season, I am very excited to share this new production of "Aurora's Wedding" with the audiences of Chattanooga," says Parker.
"We have taken great efforts at every level of production and preparation to produce a quality, classical ballet with high attention to detail, design and audience impact. The genius Tchaikovsky music and original choreography by Marius Petipa are captivating our professional troupe and student company, inspiring them to explore new levels of technical and artistic expressiveness."
The entertaining program of classical and contemporary ballet opens with "The Sleeping Beauty" and, following intermission, features new works by Alia Kache, Karen Smith, Joellen Wojtowicz as well as the world premiere of "Layers of Sight," by Nashville dance creator Andrea Vierra Greene.
Kache is a Chattanooga native and former Ailey dancer, rehearsal mistress for Ailey II and coach.
"We continue to be dedicated to supporting the creation of new works of varying genres, and are very proud to highlight these talented and in demand female choreographers," says General Director Bob Willie.
Tickets are available at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre box office, 423-267-8535, or online at http://theatrecentre.com/current-productions.