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Sleeping Beauty

Presented by Festival Ballet Providence at The Vets - Veterans Memorial Auditorium

May 14-May 15, 2011

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A classic ballet in three acts, Sleeping Beauty has become one of the most enchanting ballets in the classical repertoire. Featuring music by Tchaikovsky, the first production of Sleeping Beauty was choreographed by Marius Petipa in 1892. The ballet is based on the fairy tale "La Belle au Bois Dormant" by Charles Perrault.

A ballet that appeals to theatergoers of all ages, Sleeping Beauty begins in the palace of King Florestan where the Royal Court is celebrating the christening of Princess Aurora. After six fairies arrive with gifts for the princess, the evil Carabosse storms into the celebration. Upset that she wasn’t invited, Carabosse casts a spell on the child stating that one day she shall prick her finger on a spindle and die. The Lilac Fairy pronounces that she will not die; instead Aurora will fall into a deep sleep only to be awakened by the kiss of true love.

As the Court assembles for the celebration of Princess Aurora’s twentieth birthday, all the spindles in the kingdom have been destroyed. Four princes arrive to ask for Aurora’s hand in marriage. While she dances with each of the four princes, an old woman arrives to present her with a gift she has never seen-a spindle. As she dances with the spindle, Aurora pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep. The old woman throws off her disguise to reveal that she is the evil Carabosse. The Lilac Fairy intercedes and casts a spell over the kingdom and its people.

A hundred years pass and the Lilac Fairy leads Prince Desire to the enchanted court where he awakens the princess with the kiss of true love. The King and Queen consent to Prince Desire’s request for Aurora’s hand in marriage and the wedding is celebrated in the grand ballroom of the palace.