The Atlanta Ballet and Twyla Tharp's "The Princess & The Goblin" will enchant you - through February 19, 2012.

Last Friday night, my friend Angela and I had a girly girls’ night – we got all dressed up and went to see Atlanta Ballet’s production of Twyla Tharp’s “The Princess & The Goblin.” And we weren’t the only ones. Girls of all ages – from tiny toddlers to their grandmothers and everyone in between – surrounded us in the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre for the World Premiere of this enchanting work.

The story of “The Princess & The Goblin” is spun before your eyes in 12 beautiful scenes (there is no intermission – the performances is just under an hour and a half). Adapted from the 19th century fairytale by George MacDonald, Twyla Tharp’s “The Princess and the Goblin” is a story of courage and forgiveness in this family-friendly coming-of-age story. The Princess Irene must save the children of her kingdom from the Goblin King and his cronies and learns important life lessons along the way.

The Princess Irene is beautifully danced by Alessa Rogers and Curdie, Irene’s friend, is danced by Jacob Bush. Husband and wife Atlanta Ballet veterans John Welker and Christine Winkler play the King Papa/King of the Goblin and Great-Great-Grandmother Irene, respectively. Thirteen young students from the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education dance the roles of the children in the ballet, marking the first time Twyla Tharp has worked with children in more than 30 years!

The goblin cast, led by Christian Clark and Jesse Tyler, who dance the roles of Helfer and Podge, are particularly  entertaining. They kind of remind me of a cross between court jesters and the zombies from The Walking Dead. Helfer and Podge provide the ballet’s comic relief – the giggles and laughter from the audience – as well as the huge burst of applause during the curtain call – were proof that I was not alone in my enjoyment of their antics.

Co-commissioned by Atlanta Ballet and Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Atlanta enjoys the World Premiere of “The Princess & The Goblin” this month and then the ballet moves on to Canada in Fall 2012. The ballet is set to music by Franz Schubert, arranged and orchestrated by composer and Schubert scholar Richard Burke and played live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.

Tickets start as low as $20. There are also some great ticket deals and packages still available:

• A family four-pack of tickets for $100
• 25% off select performances:
• “The Perfect Pairing” Dinner and Dance Package with South City Kitchen Vinings on Friday and Saturday nights. The package includes:
• One (1) Three-Course Meal at South City Kitchen Vinings
• One (1) Ticket to Atlanta Ballet’s The Princess and the Goblin (Mezzanine only)
• Total: $50 per person

For tickets, call 800-982-2787 or stop by the Cobb Energy Centre box office. To purchase tickets online, visit www.atlantaballet.com.

WHERE: Atlanta Ballet Presents Twyla Tharp’s “The Princess & The Goblin” – February 10-19, 2012 at Cobb Energy Centre

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Photo credits: Top photo by Charlie McCullers; bottom two photos by Kim Kenney.
Courtesy of Atlanta Ballet.