Event

The Sleeping Beauty

Nothing says "Sweet Sixteen" more beautifully than Ballet Bellevue opening our 16th Anniversary Season with The Sleeping Beauty, accompanied by live orchestra in three performances: Dec 28 (7 PM) and Dec 29 (2 PM and 7 PM). First produced by Ballet Bellevue in February 1996, this beloved fairy tale ballet has over the years become a signature piece for the Eastside's own professional ballet company. Many of the original costumes will be worn for this special anniversary production. The unforgettable music of P. I. Tchaikovsky is so familiar to balletomanes, that even the slightest cut in the production would risk being noticed with chagrin! The full ballet in Prologue and three acts provides a grand finale indeed to Bellevue's "Magic Season" festive holiday season. Conductor and Music Director, Barney Blough, started orchestra rehearsals early to give the musicians time with this big score before many of them are off for weeks of playing Nutcracker in Seattle and beyond. Guest Director, Li Hengda, brings his very high standards of being a former PNB dancer and well-known artist in China. Dancing the lead role of Princess Aurora will be Courtney Dressner (Dec 28th at 7 PM and Dec 29th at 2 PM) and Christina Stockdale (Dec 29th at 7 PM). Both have danced "Sugar Plum Fairy" for Ballet Bellevue Nutcracker (2010 and 2009), and now they take on the challenging lead of The Sleeping Beauty to dance with guest artist, Darren McIntyre, recently of Milwaukee Ballet. For tickets call Brown Paper Tickets 800.838.3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com. For additional information go to www.balletbellevue.org