Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Choreography by Dr. Kathryn Karrh Cashin after Marius Petipa

Staged by Katy E. Cashin

Additional Choreography by Katy E. Cashin, Joyce B. Fausone, and Meagan Helman 

 

The story of The Sleeping Beauty ballet is by Ivan Vsevolozhsky, based on the Brothers Grimms’ version of Perrault’s ‘Dornröschen.’ Other characters from Perrault’s stories are included in the ballet, such as Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella, among others. 

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The story follows Princess Aurora, who is bestowed with positive virtues by a group of fairies upon the event of her christening. However, before the most powerful fairy, the Lilac Fairy, can present her gift, the jealous, evil fairy Carabosse arrives to place a curse upon the baby princess as revenge for her lack of an invitation to the celebration. The curse states that although the princess will grow up to be a delightful young lady, on her sixteenth birthday, she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. Having not yet given her gift, the Lilac Fairy softens the spell - Aurora will not die; she will fall asleep and will only awaken at the kiss of a handsome and kind prince.

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On her sixteenth birthday, the spell's magic holds true. As Aurora drifts off to sleep, the Lilac Fairy casts an enchantment of slumber over the entire kingdom, which will only be broken when Aurora awakens.

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At the end of 100 years, the Lilac Fairy guides a handsome prince to the sleeping beauty, who is hidden in an overgrown castle in the now-forgotten kingdom. Prince Désiré awakens Aurora with a kiss, and they immediately fall in love. A royal wedding ensues, with the fairies, royal guests, and many other familiar fairytale faces joining in the celebration.