The story of Sleeping Beauty is a classic.
"You haven't heard it yet?" says wide-eyed 4-year-old Madisson Jacobs, straightening the fuzzy pink bunny ears on her head in disbelief.
"Sleeping Beauty puts her hand on a spinning wheel then the prince kisses her and she wakes up," explains Madisson, who plays a rabbit in the Pinkerton Dance Academy's presentation of the timeless fairy tale at the Carson City Community Center at 7 p.m. Friday.
"Don't worry," whispers Madisson, whose fraternal twin brother, Bailey, plays a skunk in the production. "It has a happy ending."
The production involves 75 dancers, ranging in age from 3 to adult, according to producer Ayako Britt.
"Just for something a little different, we've taken what's traditionally a ballet production and restated it to involve the whole studio," she says, meaning the usual fairy tale trappings will be dusted off by modern elements of tap, jazz and even hip-hop numbers.
Britt says her favorite scene is a big waltz incorporating three different levels of ballet.
Fresh off a pas de deux with an owl, 16-year-old Becca Kitchen says she's excited about dancing the lead role of Sleeping Beauty.
"The dance has a lot of really new and different elements to it," says the Carson High School sophomore and 13-year veteran of the stage.
"I used to get nervous before a show, but I've gotten so used to it by now it doesn't really get to me," she says, drinking one of the three or four bottles of water she says she'll drink backstage during a typical performance.
As 22 tiny forest creatures are sorted out and lined up for their "Bet You Can" number, the music comes on and the faces of several parents soften and their mouths drop open at the sheer cuteness of the little smiling faces peeking out of their cat, leopard, rabbit, zebra and skunk costumes.
"All in all, it's a really great group," said Britt.
The Dance Academy plans a free Friday morning performance for local elementary schools and a one-night-only engagement at the Carson City Community Center.
n Contact reporter Peter Thompson at pthompson@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.
'Sleeping Beauty'
What: Pinkerton Dance Academy's production of "Sleeping Beauty"
Where: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Cost: $10 general admission; $7 for seniors and children 10 and under.
Reservations: Call Beth Kitchen at 882-6748.
