Christmas story told through dance

While Jenny Baubkus of Hanover Park watched other ballet students land principal parts in "The Nutcracker," she set her sights on another major role in a holiday production: the part of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The young ballerina stars in "A Spirit-Filled Christmas," mounted by Faubourg School of Ballet in Hanover Park. It takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the historic Arcada Theatre, a restored 1926 vaudeville playhouse in St. Charles.

Baubkus leads a cast of 33 dancers, ages 2 to 20, from Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park, Barrington, Palatine, Elgin, Lombard, Naperville and Rockford.

Supporting Baubkus in a variety of principal roles will be: Sarah Chun of Schaumburg, Belle Jenssen of Elgin and Amanda Hickey of Hanover Park.

Together with the ensemble, they'll portray the traditional Christmas story through a series of dances, including classical and contemporary ballet, and modern dance, all set to seasonal carols and hymns.

"It's full of music, and very peaceful," says Wanda Farnell of Schaumburg, one of the parent volunteers.

The one-hour production opens with the Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary, set to the carol, "Gabriel's Message," before weaving into such songs as, "Sleep Holy Child," "Silent Night," and the "Three Wise Men."

More than a dozen carols play out during the show.

Camille Turner worked with Watmora Casey, Faubourg's founder and artistic director, to choreograph the show.

Turner, a Northwestern University graduate, brings more than 25 years of professional dance experience to the role, including serving as an apprentice at the River North Chicago Dance Company and dancing herself, as the White Cat, in the Broadway touring production of "Cats."

Casey, too, brings more than 20 years of professional dance experience to the company. He's danced with the Joffrey, Kirov, Houston and Pennsylvania ballet companies and appeared in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Since starting Faubourg -- "suburban" in French -- in 1996, he's interpreted its mission to combine the classical art form of dance with spreading a Christian message to audiences.

"On a Christian spiritual level, classical ballet allows for the creative expression of emotions and feelings through disciplined movement of the body," Casey says. "And, as with all art forms, ballet has the power to influence us in a positive and meaningful way."

If you go

What: "A Spirit-Filled Christmas," featuring the Christmas story told through ballet

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles

Cost: $20, $16 for children

More information: (630) 289-3030 or visit www.faubourgschoolofballet.net.