Russian National Ballet to present 'Sleeping Beauty' at COD

The Russian National Ballet Theatre presents two performances of the classic, romantic fairy tale ballet "Sleeping Beauty" at 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the McAninch Arts Center on the campus of College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

A cast of four dozen dancers will portray the story of Princess Aurora in a lavish production featuring enchanting sets and spectacular costumes.

A pre-matinee Tea Party will take place at 1:30 p.m. and feature tea and sandwiches, scones and sweets. The Tea Party is a separately ticketed event. In addition, a free MAC Chat will be offered one hour before the 7 p.m. show.

Based on Charles Perrault's well-known fairy tale, "Sleeping Beauty" follows Princess Aurora through a multilayered tale of romance, poetry, fate, good vs. evil and, of course, love.

The 1890 original St. Petersburg staging of "Sleeping Beauty," with choreography by the legendary Marius Petipa performed to Tchaikovsky's score, was a spectacular illustration of the Russian Imperial style at its zenith. Today this full-length ballet, performed in three acts, remains the cornerstone of the Russian National Ballet' Theatre's repertoire.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded in Moscow during the transitional period of Perestroika in the late 1980s. Many of the great dancers and choreographers of the Soviet Union's ballet institutions began to exercise their newfound creative freedom by starting companies.

Today, the Russian National Ballet Theatre is its own institution with more than 50 dancers, many of whom have been with the company since its inception. Legendary Bolshoi principal dancer Elena Radchenko serves as artistic director.

Tickets to "Sleeping Beauty" are $55 for adults and $45 for youths. The Tea Party at 1:30 p.m. costs $25 per person. The MAC Chat prior to the evening performance is free.

For tickets and more information, contact www.atthemac.org or (630) 942-4000.