North Carolina Dance Theatre presents “the essence of classic Ballet,” Sleeping Beauty

Posted on 9 Mar 2012 by Mary-Wren Ritchie

Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, artistic director at North Carolina Dance Theatre, has choreographed a dance that “is the essence of classic ballet and [he] wants to share that with Charlotte,” says Logan McSwain, director of marketing and communications at NC Dance Theatre. This dance is Sleeping Beauty.

North Carolina Dance Theatre is presenting their rendition of Sleeping Beauty in Knight Theatre at Levine Center for the Arts March 8–11 and 16–18.

Another reason Sleeping Beauty was chosen by NC Dance Theatre is because the ballet is composed of music by Tchaikovsky.

Sleeping Beauty is part of Ulysses: Charlotte’s New Spring Festival of the Arts. This year, the theme for the festival is The Majesty of Russia and the Music of Tchaikovsky.

“Sleeping Beauty’s primarily targeted audience is families with school-aged children,” says McSwain, “but it appeals to all ages– anyone who enjoys a happily ever after story.”

“Going to a ballet is a rewarding experience,” says Brittany Wagner, who took modern dance at NC Dance Theatre in 2008, “not only is one supporting the arts, but one enters a magical world, which is calming and improves one’s imagination.”

“I believe Charlotteans will enjoy the opulent sets and costumes of this spectacular performance,” said Bonnefaux. “Dancers began rehearsing in mid-January,” says McSwain, “for the professionals it’s a fulltime job, practicing from 9:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. every day.”

Tickets for Sleeping Beauty are on sale now, with prices ranging from $25 to $79.