Before Walt Disney adapted "The Sleeping Beauty" into a film in 1959, it was originally a ballet composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky in 1889. Students, faculty and community members have the chance to see the Moscow Festival Ballet take the John R. Emens Auditorium stage tonight with a performance of the popular fairy tale.
This performance is also an opportunity for dance majors to witness ballet at its best. Vladimir Stadnik, an assistant professor of dance, encouraged future dancers to attend this event.
"There are not many classical ballets performed live throughout the U.S.," Stadnik said. "In order to see it live, you would need to travel to Los Angeles, New York or even Houston. So, it is great that you can see that kind of performance on campus."
Stadnik had the chance to see the Moscow Festival Ballet's performance of "Romeo and Juliet" and was impressed with the professionalism they exuded.
"There is a very nice quality to the company," Stadnik said. "They were very well rehearsed."
Sophomore legal studies major Erin Cromer is a big fan of the story.
"'Sleeping Beauty' has always been one of my favorite fairy tales," she said. "And when will I have the chance to see the Moscow [Festival] Ballet for such a discounted price? I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Sophomore hospitality management major Emily Doss, a member of Ball State's dance troupe Outlet, plans to attend the show. Even though Outlet has a focus in hip-hop, Doss said she has always enjoyed ballet.
"I have never had any formal training in ballet, but it is so beautiful to watch," she said. "I love hip-hop more than anything, but it is nice to see something different for a change."
Doss said she also anticipates the show's elaborate costumes.
"The costumes are usually always gorgeous in a ballet, and I'm guessing they will be stunning in this show," she said. "I love the tutus."
But what makes the tutus twirl is the music. Cromer said she is fond of Tchaikovsky's work, and even owns a CD featuring his greatest symphonies.
"I love the song 'Once Upon A Dream,'" she said. "I'm always humming it."
Even though the music may sound familiar to the melodies in the Disney film, Stadnik said not to expect the movie to compare to the ballet.
"When it comes to the ballet and the film, there are no comparisons," Stadnik said. "What you're seeing is a performance that is a lot older than the Disney film, and for that reason, they are different."
Stadnik said that, in a modern world, classical ballet must always be performed as a reminder of its beginnings in the 19th century.
"Classical ballet reflected that time period and culture," he said. "You cannot watch classical ballet now and see comparisons to a modern point-of-view. Therefore, ballet is like a beautiful museum. Our goal is to preserve that museum as best we can to learn from the technique and art of those choreographed in the dance."
"Sleeping Beauty" opens tonight at 7:30. Tickets for "Sleeping Beauty" are $22 for adults, $10 for youth and $15 for Ball State faculty and staff. Student tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door.
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