FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Dancers of the Bay Shore Ballet Theatre will present three performances of the famous fairy tale classic, “Hansel and Gretel” to be held at the Fairhope Civic Center, 161 N. Section St., on April 9 at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and April 10 at 3 p.m. As a bonus to this delightful production, Bay Shore Ballet principal dancers will also showcase selected variations from famous classics including “Paquita,” “Swan Lake” and “The Dying Swan”.

Director Janet Carole, former principal ballerina with leading U.S. and Canadian ballet companies, has restaged and choreographed this full-length production of “Hansel and Gretel” for audiences of all ages with professional designed sets and scenery executed by Leanne Pearson Scenic Design. Written by the Brothers Grimm, the ballet tells much-loved tale of Hansel and Gretel, the children of a poor woodcutter. As the storyline unfolds, the children’s ill-tempered stepmother finds there is no food left in the house, and she sends Hansel and Gretel away deep into the forest never to return.

The woodcutter father returns home, and finds that Hansel and Gretel have been sent away. He banishes the stepmother, and sets off to find the children.

Hansel and Gretel find a little gingerbread house deep in the forest and are greeted by a sweet little old lady who entices them with candy. But she is really a sinister witch, who has an evil plan. Her plan is to bake Hansel into a gingerbread cookie, when she has fattened him up enough.

But like all good fairy tales, there is a happy ending full of suspense and fun for everyone.

Bay Shore Ballet Theatre principal dancers Annie Pearson and Julianne Horak take the leading roles of Hansel and Gretel. The alternate cast is also danced by Annie Laurie O’Neill and Susan Roh. The Woodcutter is played by Stewart O’Neill and the role of the temperamental stepmother, by Ashley Covert, with the alternate cast being played by Margeaux Houston and Brad Davis.

Principal dancer Emily Davis dances as the beautiful Dew Fairy and Kristiana Bell is highlighted as the Guardian Angel who watches over Hansel and Gretel as night falls. Soloist Glorianne Morrow dances in the benevolent role of Nightfall. The sinister witch is menacingly played by Bay Shore Ballet character actress Linda Taylor, with Thelma Topper also highlighted in the alternate role.

Bay Shore Ballet Co. dancers also featured in the sequence of the Angels and in the diabolical dance of the dragonflies are Rachel Favret, Ashlyn Hamel, Margeaux Houston, Annie Laurie O’Neill, Susan Roh and Sarah Templeton. Company apprentices who appear as ginger bread cookies who come to life as real children are Laurel Cunningham, Evie Jernigan, Abigail Kiernan, Mary Ellis Ollinger, Ashley Roberts, Emma Pacey, Grace Williams and Abigail Warner. Bay Shore Ballet Theatre principal dancers Emily Davis, Kristiana Bell and Lauren Aldridge are also featured in the flamboyant excerpts from “Paquita.”

Tickets for all performances can be purchased in advance at The Coffee Loft and Page and Palette in Fairhope, at the door prior to performances, or by calling Bay Shore Ballet at 251-990-9744, www.bayshoreballet.com

For the full length special preview performance on April 9 at 2, all seats are $5. For full performances on April 9 at 7:30 and April 10 at 3, ticket prices are $12, general seating for adults; $10 for seniors and children 12 and under; reserved seating, $15.

Teachers interested in bringing school classes and other community groups at special reduced ticket prices for cameo performances of “Hansel and Gretel” at the Fairhope Civic Center on April 8, can contact Vicki O’Neill at 251-928-9676.