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The Beth Fowler Dance Company and Beth Fowler School of Dance of St. Charles and Genoa will awaken once more the magic of “Sleeping Beauty.”
The production promises to enchant and delight people of all ages, as the classic story is told through the beauty and power of ballet, a news release stated.
Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, March 11; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 12; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb.
The fairy tale is about Princess Aurora (Emily Fox of St. Charles), who is targeted for destruction by an evil fairy after the girl’s royal parents neglect to invite the fairy to the celebration of Aurora’s birth.
Instead, thanks to the intervention of good fairies, the evil fairy, Carobosse (Abby Lewis of St. Charles), can only sentence Aurora to a long, enchanted sleep, beginning on her 16th birthday.
The spell is broken, however, when a brave prince, with the aid of the good fairies, defeats the evil magic, and, with a kiss, awakens the beautiful princess. The story concludes with a magical wedding celebration, including Aurora’s enchanted friends and neighbors: Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and more.
The production soars thanks to the classical score, and stunning costumes and scenery, the release stated.
“This is a wonderful production,” Beth Fowler, artistic director and owner of the Beth Fowler School of Dance, said in the release. “It’s a story that is easy to follow. Everyone knows it.”
Fowler and Jen Flatland of Hampshire, a BFDC alumnus and one of the dance school’s instructors, said they are particularly excited about again bringing the magic to life on the stage at the historic Egyptian Theatre.
In the upcoming presentation, Flatland will dance the role of the Lilac Fairy.
“The most exciting thing for me about performing at the Egyptian Theatre is that it is so familiar to me,” Flatland said in the release. “I have been performing there my entire dance career, so it holds a special place in my heart.”
Emily Fox of St. Charles will dance the role of Princess Aurora. Fox has performed with the Fowler Dance Company for 12 years, and has danced many prominent roles, most recently the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” and Dorothy in last year’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
The Prince will be portrayed by Jack Goings, a Wisconsin native who is attending the dance program at Northern Illinois University. He has danced with the BFDC for the past two years.
Abby Lewis of St. Charles will portray Carobosse the evil fairy. Lewis has performed with Fowler for 12 years, and has danced many prominent roles, including Clara and the Rose Queen in “The Nutcracker.”
Aurora’s father and mother, the King and Queen, will be portrayed by Phil Masterton of Rockford and Rachael Kollins-Merchut of DeKalb, a BFDC alumnus who now serves as an instructor at the dance school.
The cast will feature many other company dancers in various roles, as well as students from the Beth Fowler School of Dance in children’s roles.
Tickets cost $24 for adults and $15 for children ages 4 to 12. Children ages 3 and younger get in free. All tickets are reserved seating. Every child’s ticket includes an invitation to meet Princess Aurora onstage after the show, where photos may be taken.
Tickets are available online at www.EgyptianTheatre.org, by phone through the Egyptian Theatre box office at 815-758-1225 or at the door one hour before performances.