The Pennsylvania Ballet presents 'The Sleeping Beauty'

The Pennsylvania Ballet is opening its 54th season with a fairy tale classic.

"The Sleeping Beauty" ballet is based on the iconic fairy tale that was adapted and made famous by Walt Disney studios. The Pennsylvania Ballet is breathing new life into the dance with an all-new re-imagining.

"The Sleeping Beauty" tells the story of Princess Aurora, who is struck with an evil curse and can only be awakened by true love's kiss, what Artistic Director Angel Corella calls a great representation of "love conquers all."

The ballet first premiered in Russia in the late 19th century and was choreographed by one of the most influential choreographers in ballet history, Marius Petipa.

"Petipa was sort of like the pioneer of creating story ballets and also creating what is called the pas de deux, which is the two dancers dancing together," explains Corella, who re-staged the piece to compliment today's style of dance.

"We try to stay true to the way that it was choreographed but today, for example, dancers they can jump higher; they can do more turns. They can actually, they're more flexible," says Corella, who promises the production will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

"With the music industry and the movie industry, there is so much happening that when you go to the theater, you want to see dance but you also want to see action and you want to see movement."

And he says fans can expect to see a new show each night. "As a tradition with me, we're going to have six different casts," says Corella. "Pretty much all the steps are the same but the approach and the energy and the dancing is very different."

"We have so many talented dancers," Corella adds. "That I want to give opportunity to everyone."

Tickets, he warns, are already selling fast. "There are only nine shows so people should actually run to get their tickets because actually with full lengths like "The Sleeping Beauty". they usually fly.

The Pennsylvania Ballet performs "The Sleeping Beauty" Oct. 12-22 at the Academy of Music. For tickets and show times visit The Arts in Philly.