California Ballet Company Presents Sleeping Beauty
Pictured is California Ballet Principal Vitaliy Nechay as Aurora and Prince Desire is Chie Kudo.
California Ballet Company will mount a full-length production of the 19th century classic, “Sleeping Beauty,” at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 17, 2014 and 2:30 p.m., Friday, May 18, 2014. All performances will take place downtown at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Staged by Director Maxine Mahon, after the original by Marius Petipa, the ballet is based on the timeless Charles Perrault fairytale.
California Ballet Company Principal Ballerina Chie Kudo and International Guest Artist Kateryna Khaniukova (National Opera House of Ukraine) will alternate in the lead role of Princess Aurora. International Guest Artists Vadim Solomakha (last seen on the California Ballet stage as Prince Charming in the 2012 ‘Cinderella”) and Tomonori Ochi (New National Theatre Ballet, Tokyo) will alternate in the role of Prince Desire.
“Sleeping Beauty” begins on the christening day of Princess Aurora. Among the guests who have been invited to the celebration are the infant’s six fairy godmothers, including the magical Lilac Fairy. After much fanfare, five of the fairies give their gifts to the child, but the master of ceremonies, Cattalabutte, has forgotten to invite the fairy Carabosse. Furious at being left out, Carabosse places a curse on the infant Aurora, which decrees that on her 16th birthday, the Princess will prick her finger and die. The Lilac Fairy is the last guest to give a gift to the infant princess. While unable to cancel the curse, she changes it, and rather than die, Princess Aurora and the entire kingdom will fall into a deep sleep until a handsome prince kisses her, and breaks the spell.
On Aurora’s sixteenth birthday celebration, the curse comes to pass. After a century, the Lilac Fairy helps the handsome young Prince Desire to find Princess Aurora and awaken her with a kiss. He instantly falls in love with her and proposes marriage. During the wedding, various fairytale characters gather together to celebrate the marriage of Princess Aurora and Prince Desire. Characters include Puss ‘n Boots & the White Cat, Red Riding Hood & the Wolf, and Princess Florina & the Bluebird.
“Sleeping Beauty” is appropriate for children ages three and up. For information and tickets, call (858) 560-6741, or visit www.californiaballet.org/sleeping-beauty, or email tickets@californiaballet.org.
Category: Entertainment, Events
