Children's Series to offer 3 shows

The Charleston Ballet Theatre is offering a Children's Series with three family-friendly performances starting this weekend.

"This is the first season that we've done a Children's Series," says CBT spokesman Kyle Barnette. "We have a huge dance school, and because of that, we know that lots of parents are always looking for family entertainment."

First up in the series is "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas," which will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. There also will be performances at 11 a.m. Nov. 22 and 3 p.m. Nov. 23. There will be some school matinees.

Barnette says the performance will be similar to the show the CBT staged in 2002, but with updates and added material. That show was performed to excellent reviews.

The second show in the series is "Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs," which is scheduled for Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 1.

Finally, "The Carnival of the Animals/The Steadfast Tin Soldier" is set for Feb. 27, 28 and March 1. There are two shows: The first, "The Carnival of the Animals," which is set to the music of French composer Camille Saint-Saens, centers on an

array of animals represented by various musical instruments. The second, "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" based on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, is the story of the love between a toy tin soldier and paper ballerina.

Each performance, which will be presented at the CBT's Black Box Theatre, 477 King St., lasts about an hour, says Barnette.

"They are performed by our professional company dancers and use some of the children from our dance school as well," he says.

Individual tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids. Series tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children. Call 723-7334 or visit the CBT box office at 477 King St. to purchase. For details, visit Charlestonballet.org.

The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry will hold some Saturday events in conjunction with the ballets. Visit www.explorecml.org.

Also, Wonderland Children's Boutique, 511 King St., will have a "Milk & Cookies" party for families attending the first Saturday morning performance of each ballet. The first event is 10 a.m. Saturday.