Russian National Ballet Theatre to Present SLEEPING BEAUTY at Three Stages, Now thru 2/7

Under the artistic direction of the legendary Elena Radchenko, a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet, the Russian National Ballet Theatre brings The Sleeping Beauty to Three Stages. Founded during Perestroika, the company is today its own institution comprised of exquisite dancers of singular instruction and vast experience.

"Since opening in 2011, Three Stages has brought a number of strong Russian companies to the capital region," notes Executive Director Dave Pier. "The Sleeping Beauty will be elegantly performed and lovely to see."

The Russian National Ballet Theatre's The Sleeping Beauty will be performed at Three Stages tonight, February 5, Wednesday, February 6, and Thursday, February 7; all performances begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $29-$49, Premium tickets are available for $59. Tickets may be purchased online at www.threestages.net or from Three Stages Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and two hours before show time. Three Stages is located on the west side of Folsom Lake College campus in Folsom, Calif., facing East Bidwell Street.

The Sleeping Beauty is often considered the finest achievement of the classical ballet. Tchaikovsky was delighted with the invitation to write the music for a ballet based on Charles Perrault's well-known fairy tale. A baby princess, condemned at her christening by an evil fairy to prick her finger and die on her 16th birthday, is saved by the gift of the good Lilac Fairy, who declares the princess will only sleep until awakened by the kiss of a prince. "The Russian National Ballet's production of "The Sleeping Beauty" enchanted the audience" (Toledo Free Press).

The Sleeping Beauty was the first of Marius Petipa's classics to be seen in Western Europe. Born Victor Marius Alphonse Petipa, he was the inventor of modern classical ballet. During the latter half of the 19th century, Petipa elevated Russian ballet to international acclaim and recognition.

Under the title The Sleeping Princess, it was presented by Serge Diaghilev (1872-1929) in London in 1921. In 1939, it was remounted in Great Britain and has been considered the foundation of the classical ballet repertory in that country ever since. It has now been adopted worldwide, and performance of the leading role remains a kind of initiation rite for aspiring ballerinas.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded during the transitional period of Perestroika in the late 1980s. The company, then titled the Soviet National Ballet, incorporated graduates from the Russian choreographic schools of Moscow, St. Petersburg and Perm. The principal dancers of the company came from the upper ranks of the great ballet companies and academies of Russia, and the companies of Riga, Kiev and even Warsaw.

In 1994, the legendary Bolshoi principal dancer, Elena Radchenko, was selected by Presidential decree to assume the first permanent artistic directorship of the company. Today, the Russian National Ballet Theatre is its own institution, with over 50 dancers of singular instruction and vast experience, many of whom have been with the company since its inception. Ms. Radchenko notes "what makes the Russian ballet tradition so great is that we preserve the original intent of the work, which is eternally new and fresh."

Three Stages at Folsom Lake College presents touring artists from around the world; partners with the best regional arts organizations, and supports productions by FLC students and faculty.

Three Stages at Folsom Lake College is a $50 million performing and visual arts center that opened in February 2011. Located on the campus, Three Stages includes three intimate performance venues (850, 200, 100 seats), an art gallery, a recording studio, ample rehearsal and classroom space, a full service ticket office plus all the amenities of a state-of-the-art performance venue. Parking is free on weekends and for those buying tickets in advance.

A renaming of Three Stages is currently under way. The new name, Harris Center for the Arts, honors Dr. Brice Harris, Chancellor Emeritus of the Los Rios Community College District, for his many contributions to the Capital Region, including providing the vision and leadership that led to the opening of this regional arts center.

What: The Russian National Ballet Theatre Presents
The Sleeping Beauty
When: Tuesday, February 5, 7:30 pm
Wednesday, February 6, 7:30 pm
Thursday, February 7, 7:30 pm
Sponsored by Capital Public Radio
Where: Three Stages at Folsom Lake College
10 College Parkway
Folsom, CA 95630
Tickets: $29-$49; Premium tickets $59; they are available online at www.threestages.net or from Three Stages Ticket Office at 916-608-6888 (Monday through Saturday, 10 am-6 pm, and two hours before show time)