Yoshiko Brunson as the White Witch, Brandy Carwile as Edmund, and Abigayle Reiber as the Dwarf in Ballet Ariel’s original ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. Photo by David Andrews.

October 16, 2023 (Denver, Colorado): Ballet Ariel welcomes the holidays with a fresh, new way to celebrate the season. “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” ballet is based on the popular book by C.S. Lewis, with original choreography by Director Ilena Norton and battle scenes choreographed by Gregory Gonzales.

Presenting “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” for Ballet Ariel’s holiday production is a big leap since productions of “The Nutcracker” abound this time of year. However, as Norton explains, despite the popularity of previous “Nutcracker” productions, the change offers benefits to both the company and the audience. 

“Ballet Ariel’s mission is to create original ballets so the opportunity to present ‘The Lion, The  Witch and the Wardrobe’ for our 2023 holiday production allows us to do that during this festive time of year,” says Norton. “Also, because this is our 25th Anniversary year, we wanted to do  something really special for the holidays to celebrate!” 

The story of “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” beloved by children and adults alike, is set in the 1940s. The ballet begins when four siblings, Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter, visit the  Old Professor and discover an empty room with a large wardrobe. Young Lucy opens the wardrobe door and steps in. Her brother Edmund follows her as they find themselves in a  wintery forest of another world. 

A series of adventures begin that include an umbrella-carrying faun, an evil White Witch, a  beaver couple, a kind-hearted lion, and a myriad of other characters. They, along with the siblings,  engage in a mystical battle of good over evil. Although the White Witch traps the group in a  seemingly endless winter, the great lion Aslan, Merry Father Christmas and the promise of spring arriving bring beauty and hope to the holiday season.  

In ballet form, “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” is an exciting adventure, beautifully set to music by Edward Elgar and Arthur Sullivan, with creative costumes and sets. Aslan and other animal mask and costumes are created by George Peters at Air Works Studio in Boulder. 

This holiday-season production is being performed as part of Ballet Ariel’s celebrated Silver Anniversary. It runs the following dates and locations: 

November 29 – Lone Tree Arts Center. Tickets – Adults, $31-$41; Seniors and Students, $29- $39; Children 12 and under, $26-$36. 

Dec. 8, 9 and 10 – Lakewood Cultural Center. Tickets – $30-40 Adult, $25-35 Senior/student,  $20-30 Children. 

Dec. 22 and 23 – Parsons Theatre at the Northglenn Recreation Center. Tickets – $30-40 Adult,  $25-35 Senior/student, $20-30 children. 

For information on purchasing tickets, please visit the Ballet Ariel website at  www.balletariel.org or call 303-945-4388. The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, © copyright C.S Lewis Pte Ltd 1950. Get official NARNIA® news at 

Narnia.com and https://www.facebook.com/TheChroniclesofNarnia 

About Ballet Ariel 
Ballet Ariel was founded in 1998 by Artistic and Executive Director Ilena Norton. Now entering its 25th year of performance, Ballet Ariel has evolved into a laboratory for developing original classical ballets, a collaborative environment where the beauty of classical ballet comes together with narrative storytelling and a contemporary vision. This professional company is known for its graceful and elegant, yet dynamic, choreography and staging.  

Located in Denver at the Denver Dance Center, 2496 W. 2nd Ave., #3 in Denver, the company employs ten professional dancers under Rehearsal Director Oleg Dedogryuk and Ballet Master Patricia Renzetti. Ballet Ariel’s repertoire features original ballets such as “Ballerina by Degas,” “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,” and “Tale of Molly Brown” along with classical works including  “Konservatoriet,” “La Fille Mal Gardee,” and “Aurora’s Wedding” from “Sleeping Beauty”. 

Ballet Ariel receives funding from Denver, Jefferson, Adams, and Douglas Counties through the  Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), Colorado Creative Industries, and Denver Ballet  Guild. The Covid Relief Fund received from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation and The Denver  Foundation help to make this production possible. 

For more information, visit www.balletariel.org or call (303) 945-4388. 

Short Description: 
Ballet Ariel welcomes the holidays with a fresh, new way to celebrate the season. “The Lion, The  Witch and the Wardrobe” ballet, based on the popular book by C.S. Lewis, with original choreography by Director Ilena Norton and battle scenes choreographed by Gregory Gonzales.  The production occurs at three locations between Nov. 29-Dec. 23. For information on purchasing tickets, please visit the Ballet Ariel website at www.balletariel.org or call 303-945- 4388.