There are certain works in ballet that stand as monuments to the art form: masterpieces so grand in scope and timeless in impact that to encounter them is to brush against history itself. The Sleeping Beauty is one such crown jewel. Since its premiere in 1890 at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, it has remained a touchstone of classical ballet: lavish, symbolic, demanding, and infinitely enchanting.
This season, Sacramento Ballet brings its own Sleeping Beauty to life in a world-premiere production crafted for the company by rehearsal directors Elise Elliott and Stefan Calka. Together, they are curating a work that honors ballet’s gilded tradition while breathing new vitality into its story of destiny, magic, and love.
“We are so excited to present to you the world premiere of our Sleeping Beauty for Sacramento Ballet,” Elliott says. “Stefan and I have enjoyed delving into the world of Sleeping Beauty together this season to curate a brand new production to show Sacramento audiences how incredible our dancers and production team truly are.”
The Crown Jewel of Classicism
From the moment the lilting notes of Tchaikovsky’s score begin, the ballet announces itself as something monumental. Tchaikovsky—still recovering from the lukewarm reception of his earlier Swan Lake—poured into this music a symphonic richness and theatrical imagination that set a new benchmark for ballet composition. His melodies soar, shimmer, and crash with operatic grandeur, marrying seamlessly with Marius Petitpa’s brilliant choreography. Together, they created what Calka calls a Gesamtkunstwerk—a total work of art that unites music, movement, and design into one vision.
“The Sleeping Beauty is a ballet of the grand classical storytelling tradition,” Calka reflects. “It was considered, at its creation, the epitome of classicism and a synthesis of all the arts. The ballet explores themes of true love, fate, patience, and the consequence of action. It requires dancers to not only be at the pinnacle of their technical craft, but also skilled stewards of artistic storytelling.”
To this day, Aurora’s Rose Adagio, a moment of poised balances and shimmering control, remains one of the most iconic and technically demanding passages in all of ballet. But beyond the virtuosity lies a work that is deeply symbolic, where fate is softened by the wisdom of the Lilac Fairy, and where true love arrives not with force, but with patience.
A Living Tradition
For Elliott, staging Sleeping Beauty is also a return to her own artistic roots. During her decade-long career with Houston Ballet, she performed countless roles in Ben Stevenson’s celebrated production. “From Apprentice all the way through to Soloist, I performed in every scene of Mr. Stevenson’s gorgeous work,” she recalls. “I can’t wait to share my knowledge and experiences with our company and school during the rehearsal process, and to watch our dancers grow as artists along the way.”
That continuity, the passing down of tradition from one generation to the next, is at the heart of this new Sacramento Ballet production. Calka, who once danced the role of Prince Désiré when the company last staged Sleeping Beauty in 2008, sees this staging as both a homecoming and a renewal. “For me, returning to this ballet and staging it on dancers of the next generation continues the great tradition of our art form,” he says. “It means not only preparing them to achieve the technical virtuosity required, but also helping them use their voice as artists to meaningfully and beautifully tell this moving story.”
Magic, Majesty, and Imagination
Part of what makes Sleeping Beauty endure is its perfect balance of grandeur and enchantment. It is at once regal and whimsical; rooted in Versailles pomp yet populated with storybook characters like Puss-in-Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Bluebird. For Elliott, this mix of majesty and magic ensures there is something for everyone: “With ethereal fairies, evil Carabosse, true love’s kiss, and even a guest appearance by Puss ‘N Boots, there is something for every audience member in our Sleeping Beauty.”
This new Sacramento Ballet staging promises to honor that breadth while tailoring the ballet to the company’s own strengths. “This production will be Sacramento’s own unique Sleeping Beauty,” Calka explains, “tapered to our roster of world-class artists to highlight their specific gifts and talents, while also asking them to stretch their artistic imagination to breathe these characters to life.”
Audiences will see not only the company’s dancers in their element, but also members of the Second Company and the School of Sacramento Ballet, underscoring the intergenerational reach of this production. In this way, Sleeping Beauty becomes both a performance and a living classroom: an opportunity for young dancers to share the stage with seasoned professionals in a ballet that defines the classical repertoire.
A Story That Still Resonates
Though the ballet was created in Imperial Russia, its themes continue to resonate. Fate, patience, and the triumph of love over malice are as relevant today as they were in 1890. “That fate will bring true love to triumph good over evil. That true love is patient and unforced,” Calka says simply.
In an age of constant motion and instant gratification, Sleeping Beauty reminds us that some of life’s greatest rewards unfold slowly: through perseverance, belief, and the quiet strength of waiting.
A Sacramento Awakening
Sacramento Ballet’s Sleeping Beauty will premiere on February 13, 2026 at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. For Elliott, it promises to be nothing short of magical: “You don’t want to miss our beautiful new Sleeping Beauty. It is going to be a magical experience for the whole family.”
And for the company, it is a chance to awaken not only a princess, but the grandeur of ballet itself, reminding us why this work has remained a cornerstone for more than a century. In its sweeping music, dazzling choreography, and timeless story, Sleeping Beauty continues to cast its spell, generation after generation.
This article was first published in the 25/26 Season Guide magazine. It is published here courtesy of Sacramento Ballet. Click here to learn more or read the entire magazine.
Featured Image: Jennifer Watembach. Photo by Tony Nguyen.
Images 1 & 2: James Griffen and Jennifer Watembach. Photo by Tony Nguyen.
