Two from Jacksonville join ‘Sleeping Beauty’ ballet

Two Jacksonville dancers will be part of the dance company this weekend when Springfield Dance and Dance Arts Studio performs Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty” ballet.
Sisters Norah and Eva Wilson have also appeared in past productions of Springfield Dance. In “Sleeping Beauty”, Norah Wilson will dance the roles of the Beauty Fairy and Cinderella. Eva Wilson will dance like a page.
The ballet takes place in a land filled with all kinds of magic, in which fairies and sylphs do their best to protect the princess and her people from the vengeful fairy Carabosse.
Princess Aurora and her court will dance on stage at the Legacy Theater in Springfield for performances at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets, available at atthelegacy.com, are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Originally produced in 1890, the classic tale was based on Charles Perrault’s original story, “Sleeping Beauty” with an adaptation by the Brothers Grimm. The show’s artistic team includes Julie Ratz and Gina DeCroix Russell of Dance Arts Studio, and Ronda Brinkman of Springfield Dance.
In addition to dancers from Central Illinois, the show will feature professional dancers Martin Justo and Tevfik Vatansever as Prince and Bluebird, respectively.
A birthday celebration for Princess Aurora will be held in the Legacy Lounge 30 minutes before each performance. Each performance lasts just under an hour.