You won't want to miss Raleigh Dance Theatre's Fall performance -- Story Book Tales. This is a program that is especially designed for the enjoyment of young children. Included in the ticket price is a Tea Party, hosted by the cast, following the performance.

The performances are November 6, 2004, at 11:00am and 3:00pm, and November 7, 2004, at 3:00pm. All performances are in Jones Auditorium, Meredith College, Raleigh. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Group rates are available. Please call 919-834-1058 for tickets or additional information.

This year's Storybook Tales features a new production of Alice in Wonderland, with choreography by Associate Director Jennifer Clagett Sommers, set to Jazz Suite No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich. Ashley Hathaway of North Raleigh will dance the title role. Also on the program are Act I from Coppelia, the classic comic ballet in which a lovely doll and a charming young lady, danced by Marissa Slutsky of North Raleigh, compete for the attention of a suitor, danced by James Taylor of Raleigh; Jewels from Act III Sleeping Beauty, the well-known ballet set to Tchaikovsky's lush score featuring Raleigh Dance Theatre's most advanced dancers; and a world premiere contemporary ballet by Durham-based choreographer Susan Carlin Galdy.

Raleigh Dance Theatre will present several community programs in conjunction with this year's Storybook Tales. The company will present free lecture-demonstrations that are open to the public at Quail Ridge Books and Music on October 9, 2004, at 11 AM, Richard B. Harrison Regional Library on October 23, 2004, at 11 AM, and at Cameron Village Regional Library on Tuesday, October 26, 2004, at 7 PM. Each program will include a movement experience for program attendees, reading from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, and excerpts from the new ballet performed by company dancers. In addition, Raleigh Dance Theatre is hosting "In Her Shoes," a Pines of Carolina Girl Scout Council program for Brownies that will include performance excerpts, a discussion with Raleigh Dance Theatre alumna and current Carolina Ballet dancer Yvette Sumner, and an opportunity for Brownies to work on Try-It badges. Raleigh Dance Theatre will also offer Try-It and Junior Badge workshops for area scouts on Saturday, November 20, 2004, at 9 AM and 2 PM For more information or to order tickets for Storybook Tales, please contact the company offices at (919) 834-1058

Scene from "Sleeping Beauty, Act III" (Photo credit: Bob Scott)

Former RDT dancer, Valerie Robbins, who danced the role of the Lilac Fairy in "Sleeping Beauty, Act III", signs an autograph at the post-performance tea for "Storybook Tales" 2002.

(Below) Former RDT company member, Yvette Sumner, who danced the role of Princess Aurora, signs a program at the post-performance tea for "Storybook Tales" 2002. Ms. Sumner is currently a company member of Carolina Ballet.