Northwest Ballet presents Sleeping Beauty in Bigfork

The Northwest Ballet Company presents its 33rd Annual Spring Show Production, "Sleeping Beauty" on Mother's Day Weekend at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.

This will be a premiere work for the pre-professional Company, and the first time ever performed as a ballet in our beautiful Valley, director Marissa Roth said. "The Northwest Ballet Company is excited to bring to the audiences of Northwest Montana a professional guest artist from Chicago, Malachi Squires, dancing the part of Prince Florimund," Roth said. Saturday's 2 p.m. matinee will be geared toward the children of the area, with free face painting before the show, and the Fairies Parade meet-and-greet with the Northwest Ballet Company, after the production. The Saturday 8 p.m. performance features Missoula's professional Modern Company, Bare Bait Dance, opening that evening's show with excerpts from their repertoire The Sunday 4 p.m. performance, on Mother's Day afternoon, the most attended show, is geared toward families.

"I'm elated to bring such a classical ballet to the stage this spring season," Roth said. "Each show has something different to offer our audiences. From the little girl yearning to see the magic of the fairies in an age old tale, to the dance enthusiast always expecting the artists at their finest, the weekend won't disappoint." This year's graduating high school senior in the company, Riley Freeman, dances the part of the Lilac Fairy. She's been inspired by the role and how her character carries the storyline along and is the only character in the ballet featured in every scene, Roth said.  

Tickets for reserved seats are on sale at the Northwest Ballet Company's ticket outlet, the Kalispell Grand Hotel, 100 Main Kalispell. After May 10 tickets will be available one hour before each performance at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts box office. Prices are $18 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Shows are May 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and May 12 at 4 p.m.

For information call Northwest Ballet at 755-0760.