The biblical story of Moses leading his people to freedom will be presented in a 70-minute ballet on Friday night, Jan. 31, at ChristChurch Presbyterian in Dalton, Georgia.
"Deliver Us!" is one of four productions that Ballet Magnificat of Jackson, Mississippi, has touring the country. It is set to the music of Dreamworks' "The Prince of Egypt."
Under the blazing Egyptian sun, the enslaved Jewish people are crying out for a deliverer. Moses challenges Pharaoh, and leads the Israelites to freedom in the Holy Land that God has promised them.
"Why tell fairy tales when you can bring to the stage such an alluring story of courage and faith that will challenge us to the core?" asks Jiri Voborsky, choreographer of "Deliver Us!"
"Deliver Us!" was first performed in 2001. It has since been performed in Asia, Europe, North and South America, and the Middle East.
If you go
* What: Ballet Magnificat* Where: ChristChurch Presbyterian, 510 S. Tibbs Road, Dalton, Georgia* When: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31* Admission: Free* For more information: 706-529-2911
Ballet Magnificat companies have delivered programs on such themes as forgiveness, hope and joy to audiences in Germany, Puerto Rico, The Netherlands, Greece, Costa Rica, Israel, Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Cayman Islands, Honduras, Belgium, Austria, Canada, Belize, Italy, France, Kosovo, Macedonia, Colombia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Armenia, Croatia, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Kenya and South Africa.
Ballet Magnificat was founded in 1986 by Keith and Kathy Thibodeaux.
Kathy Thibodeaux was born in Memphis, but trained and lived in Jackson most of her life. She was one of the first contracted dancers for the Jackson Ballet Company (Ballet Mississippi) under the direction of Thalia Mara, dancing as principal until 1986.
Keith Thibodeaux is a former child entertainer best known as Little Ricky on the "I Love Lucy" television series and Johnny Paul Jason on "The Andy Griffith Show." He was a drummer for rock band David and the Giants, which later became a groundbreaking Christian rock band.
"Deliver Us!" is free, but limited seating is available, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early for a good seat.