Narnia roars back to Augusta with annual ballet production
This year's production of Roar of Love marks a milestone for the Columbia County Ballet.
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For 25 years, dancers from the Martinez ballet studio have brought the ballet based on The Chronicles of Narnia to life for audiences.
"I'm just amazed that we've been able to do this every year and that we've had an audience to support it every year," said Ron Jones, co-founder and executive director of the ballet.
An interpretation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Roar of Love invites the audience to explore a world of mystique and enchantment as seen through the eyes of a young girl and her siblings.
About four years ago, the performances were moved to spring because Roar of Love is based on the Easter story, Jones said.
"When we started it years and years ago, we were doing it in May," he said. "It's closer to Easter now, which is real appropriate."
In honor of the ballet's silver anniversary, Jones said a group of alumni will return to the stage when the production takes place Saturday.
"The story just seems to have a stronger meaning for them," he said. "It's really rich to have them come back."
Certain dance sequences and choreography also have been restructured and enhanced this year, Jones said.
The studio's 300 dancers, some as young as 3 years old, will put on two performances at the Bell Auditorium, 712 Telfair St., Augusta. The first showing is at 3 p.m. and the second at 7 p.m.
Nearly 800 people attended each production last year, Jones said.
Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors and active military members.
Though Roar of Love has grown since 1985 when it was first performed at the Bon Air Hotel in Augusta, one thing has remained the same throughout the years.
"As soon as Lucy steps foot through that wardrobe and you go into the land of Narnia, all that magic starts to happen again," Jones said.
For information or to purchase tickets, call (706) 860-1852 or visit www.columbiacountyballet.com.