Previews: TAMPA CITY BALLET'S SLEEPING BEAUTY at New Tampa Performing Arts Center
On stage May 16 & 17
On stage at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center on May 16 and 17, a kingdom awakens as Tampa City Ballet brings Sleeping Beauty to life in a swirl of magic, music, and movement. What begins as a royal celebration- fairies offering gifts, a princess glowing with promise-unfolds into a story shaped by destiny. The company’s guiding belief is clear: “timeless stories deserve to be experienced and shared across generations.”
But even the brightest fairytales hold shadows.
A powerful curse sweeps through Aurora’s world, freezing the kingdom in a single breath. Time stops. The castle sleeps. And the young princess drifts into an enchanted dream that stretches across a century. Yet the fairies remain, guarding her slumber and
weaving hope through the stillness, waiting for the moment when love and courage will
break the spell.
When Aurora finally awakens, the stage seems to exhale. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score
rises, colors bloom, and the theatre transforms into a living storybook.
As part of Tampa City Ballet’s Classical Family Series, this Sleeping Beauty is crafted
for everyone: children discovering ballet for the first time, longtime fans returning to a
beloved tale, and families sharing a cultural moment together. The production reflects
the company’s commitment to making classical ballet “accessible, memorable, and meaningful for the Tampa Bay community,” preserving the elegance of tradition while
shaping the story in a warm, welcoming way.
Paula Nunez, Founder and Artistic Director explains, “Sleeping Beauty is a celebration
of new beginnings. As Artistic Director, I’m inspired by how this ballet moves from
stillness into vibrant life and how that awakening becomes something shared between
the artists and the audience. It’s a feeling you simply cannot experience through a
screen. When families come together to witness this story live, the energy, hope, and
beauty become unforgettable.”
With expressive performances, graceful choreography, and a fairytale that has
captivated generations, Sleeping Beauty becomes more than a performance, it
becomes a shared experience. A reminder of why these stories endure. A chance to
step into magic for an afternoon or evening.
“Our goal with this production is to honor the elegance of the classical tradition while
making it feel immediate and welcoming for today’s audiences. In a world filled with
screens, Sleeping Beauty offers something rare — a chance for families to sit together,
feel the music, watch the story unfold, and share a moment that only happens in the
theater,” say Nunez. “Its magic invites both firsttime viewers and lifelong ballet lovers to
connect, imagine, and experience the wonder side by side.”
Performances run May 16 at 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM, May 17 at 4:00 PM, with
outreach shows on May 18 inviting Tampa Bay to dream alongside Princess
Aurora as her world awakens in dance. Learn more and buy tickets:
https://www.tampacityballet.org/upcoming
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