Kids Commute: 'The Sleeping Beauty' Week!

By Kate Botello,

Published February 5, 2024 at 7:50 AM EST

The Australian Ballet's production of "The Sleeping Beauty"

This week on Kids Commute, we’re listening to the music of Tchaikovsky's famous fairytale ballet, "The Sleeping Beauty!"

This ballet tells the story of a princess named Aurora who is cursed by an evil fairy to prick her finger on a wool spinning spindle on her sixteenth birthday and fall asleep for a hundred years, only to awake with a true love's kiss.

It's a tale filled with fairies (both good and evil), magic, birthday parties, handsome princes, and true love.

We also have a Classical Sprouts episode all about the famous waltz that was used in the Disney animated film adaptation of the story:

Artists of Philadelphia Ballet in “The Sleeping Beauty,” choreography by Angel Corella. Photograph by Alexander Iziliaev. Superimposed image from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty."

Classical Sprouts: 'Sleeping Beauty' and the Garland Waltz

Kate Botello

Did you know the melody from Disney's "Sleeping Beauty" love duet "Once Upon a Dream" was actually written by Tchaikovsky? We're listening to the Garland Waltz this week on Classical Sprouts.

Want to see "The Sleeping Beauty?" Interlochen Arts Academy Dance is performing the ballet with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra at Interlochen's Corson Auditorium Friday, February 9 through Sunday February 11.

There's even a special pajama party before the Saturday, February 10 performances where you get to meet the fairies and princesses and have a pajama party!