Beckanne Sisk And Chase O'Connell Join Festival Ballet Theatre For SLEEPING BEAUTY

Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT), Orange County's resident professional ballet company, will present the enchanting production of Sleeping Beauty, with Ballet West principal dancers Beckanne Sisk and Chase O'Connell in the lead roles. Festival Ballet Theatre's traditional, full-length production is choreographed and staged by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla after Marius Petipa, and set to music by P. I. Tchaikovsky. Sleeping Beauty was first premiered by the Imperial Ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg on January 15, 1890. Salwa Rizkalla captures the heart, energy and excitement of this original production in her staging.

This fairy tale features sweeping corps de ballet sequences and dazzling classical ballet virtuosity. Audiences of all ages will be thrilled by storybook characters, including Princess Aurora, Puss 'n Boots, Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. The ballet takes place in the spectacular palace of Aurora's parents, King Florestan and his Queen. Festival Ballet Theatre's ornate costumes and sets create a heightened luxurious visual experience. The Grand Pas de Deux in Act III will showcase the brilliant artistry and athleticism of Princess Aurora and her handsome Prince Désiré.

Sleeping Beauty is the third production in Festival Ballet Theatre's 2018-2019 season. FBT recently performed to full houses during their 15-show run of The Nutcracker at the Irvine Barclay Theatre this past December.

For more information, visit www.festivalballet.org.

Photo Credit: Dave Friedman