Sleeping Beauty

Mainstream audiences will likely freak, but anyone tiring of the elaborate, somewhat stuffy classic presentation of this well-known fairy tale will have their interest revived by this 1999 Cullberg Ballet performance. Swedish choreographer Mats Ek has created a postmodern fantasy about a teenage rebel named Aurora, a drug-dealing Carabosse (no finger pricks on the spindle here!) and a bunch of tartish fairies that would shock Mother Goose. From an innovative birthing scene to the full-circle conclusion, you won't find a hint of tradition; instead this Sleeping Beauty is an earthy, athletic, finely acted performance mounted with gritty and darkly humorous verve. Of course, no one is apt to quibble with the Tchaikovsky score, delightful as always, played by the National Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Richard Bonynge and presented in Dolby Digital 5.1. Formatted for widescreen with a Swedish soundtrack and optional English subtitles, this innovative, thought-provoking rendition will not be everyone's cup of tea, but is recommended for strong arts collections. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)