FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Creative Outlet’s Children’s Dance Theater will perform “The Real Princess and the Pea” on Nov. 23, at 4:30 p.m., in the Fairhope Civic Center. 

A dance interpretation of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic story of the girl who proved she was a “real princess” by feeling a pea through 20 mattresses and 20 featherbeds, this updated retelling of the story features ballet, jazz and even hip hop styles of dance.

As the prince travels the world in search of the perfect princess; he visits countries that will feature dances of the different cultures: Chinese ribbon dance, Irish step-dance, Brazilian salsa and India’s Bollywood.

Also featured is an authentic theatrical sword fight between the prince and an evil knight that is sure to delight the boys in the audience.

The original choreography by Pagan Mosher, Gina Lanaux, Lindy Shippen and Megrez Mosher, along with theatrical scenery and special effects, combines theater and dance in an artistic and entertaining production.

Children’s Dance Theater has been a valuable part of Christmas Open house for over 20 years. The company is unique, as it is the only dance group in the area that performs works for children and young audiences.

The company takes children’s literature to a new dimension by creating original dances that bring favorite stories and poems to life on the stage.

The mission of Children’s Dance Theater is to entertain and educate audiences about the art of dance and to show how closely related literature and the performing arts are to each other.

The directors, Gina Lanaux and Pagan Mosher, also advocate using the performing arts as a teaching tool and emphasize the use of arts in education in these productions.

Many of the public and private schools in the area will bring students in to see “The Real Princess and the Pea” because they appreciate the enrichment opportunities the performance holds for their students.

Previous productions have included “Alice in Wonderland,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Peter Pan,” “Madeline and the Gypsies,” “Carnival of the Animals” and “Where the Wild Things Are.”

Lanaux says, “All children should experience a live dance performance. The magic of the movement, the costumes, the scenery and lighting stimulate their imagination and creativity. There is no better way to kick off the Christmas season than to give a child the gift of a performing arts experience.”

Admission to the performance is $8 for adults and $4 for children, payable at the door, or tickets are available at Creative Outlet Dance Center in Fairhope.

This production is part of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Open House.