Ballet fairy tale

STORRS- Critics have called the Russian National Ballet Theatre, directed by the legendary Bolshoi principal dancer Elena Radchenko, “the real thing.” Combine with that Tchaikovsky’s "{The Sleeping Beauty," the classic story of love awakened from a 100-year nap, and you have a night of dance passion on the stage of Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. The ballet includes a prologue, covering the curse, and three acts. In the first, Aurora turns 16 and dances the “Rose Adagio” with four princes in a rose ceremony that would make producers of The Bachelor turn green with envy. Then she pricks her finger and the spell begins. In Act II, the Lilac Fairy visits Prince Charming and introduces him to a vision of the Sleeping Beauty. His fate is cast, and, in Scene Two, he delivers the wake-up kiss. In Act III, the wedding extravaganza unfolds, with appearances by fairy tale characters, such as the Bluebird, Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is located at 2132 Hillside Road on the UConn campus in Storrs. Ticket prices are $36, $33 and $31 with some discounts available. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at 860-486-4226, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., or order online at jorgensen.uconn.edu. Convenient, free parking is available across the street in the North Garage.