Classic stories on local stages

Families have their pick of live theater this weekend, from the classic ballet to beloved storybooks brought to life.

The Russian Grand Ballet is performing P.I. Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” at the Bing Crosby Theater on Saturday and Sunday.

The music is gorgeous, the choreography is beautiful and the story is great, said Gulya Hartwick, executive director of Voice Art Group, the company bringing the ballet on tour.

“Swan Lake” is based on Russian folklore and German legend. It tells the story of a young prince working to free a swan maiden from an evil spell. There’s trickery and romance, and in this version, love triumphs.

“It’s a fairy tale and a love story, so it’s interesting for kids and also for adults,” Hartwick said.

It’s also a work many will find familiar. The music is well known and versions of the ballet have even been done in cartoons.

“There are so many versions of this dance, to see it live, that’s just something that you have to do,” Hartwick said.

Also this weekend, two local theater companies are continuing productions based on favorite children’s stories.

Spokane Children’s Theatre is staging “Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” about a boy who wakes up with gum in his hair and everything goes downhill from there. There’s no dessert in his lunch, the dentist finds cavities, and there are lima beans for supper.

The musical is based on the children’s book by Judith Viorst, who wrote the script and lyrics.

And this is the last weekend to see StageWest Community Theatre’s production of “Anne of Green Gables.”

The show is based on L.M. Montgomery’s novel about Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan mistakenly sent to middle-age siblings who wanted a boy to help on their farm.

Kimberly Lusk

“Swan Lake”: 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. Tickets: $33.50-$57, available at TicketsWest outlets or www.ticketswest.com.

“Alexander”: 7 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25 at Spokane children’s Theatre, 2727 N. Madelia St. (509) 328-4886. Tickets: $12, adults; $8, ages 12 and younger.

“Anne of Green Gables”: 7 p.m. Friday and dinner theater performance at 6 p.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 639 Elm St., Cheney. (509) 235-2441. Dinner theater reservation required by Friday. Tickets: $12, adults; $10, seniors; $5 students; $30, dinner theater.