Presented by Mercedes of Mobile and a Project Mouvement in Art (PMIart) production, “Carnival of the Animals” is a benefit event for Thomas Hospital’s Birth Center that delivers more than 1,100 babies yearly. The performance includes an evening of ballet, Broadway and opera with highlights from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Cats” and Saint Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals.”

“Carnival of the Animals,” the main performance, was regarded by its composer Saint-Saëns as a fun composition that would not be published in his lifetime because it detracted from his serious composer image. However after his death in 1921, “Carnival of the Animals” went on to become one of Saint-Saëns’ best-known works.

The audience will be enchanted with a colorful, exotic and whimsical interpretation as the PMIart dancers bring the characters of “Carnival of the Animals” to life. Artistic director Lori Bilbrey Vaghefi choreographed her vision of Saint Saëns’ humorous musical composition, set to Ogden Nash’s comical poetry. Narrated by local actor, Daniel Mainwaring, the ballet is complemented by a visual display of costume sketches and artistic renditions by Lauren Woods.

Inspired by a French focus on decorative curves, Vaghefi takes a jocular, florid and graceful approach to “Carnival of the Animals” that is sure to let everyone’s imagination run wild.

Guest artists include Mobile Opera’s Scott and Sarah Wright and the professional dance duo of Ethan and Nikki White. The cast includes: Ms. Lori Bilbrey Vaghefi, Choreographer/ Visionary – former principal dancer and ballet mistress for Mobile Ballet and fine arts dance specialist of Mobile County Public Schools; John Ross Thomas, Costume Designer – University of South Alabama’s theater student; Lauren Woods, Costume Designer – principal dancer with Mobile Ballet and an artist and art instructor at USA and Springhill College; Ryan Arnold, professional dancer, who is a choreographer and instructor and PMIart dancers.

“Carnival of the Animals” is the premiere performance of Project Mouvement In Art, a community dance initiative that offers dedicated, young dance artists an array of intensive training and performance opportunities. Combining dancers of all ages and performers and artists from different walks of life, professions and interests, PMIart promotes an annual production to fundraise for a community service. Currently, PMIart has 20 student dancers ranging in age from 8 – 18 that live in either Mobile or Baldwin counties.

Who: PMIart dancers with special guests: Mobile Opera’s Scott and Sarah Wright; Mobile Ballet’s Lauren Woods; White Tree Ballet’s Ethan and Nikki White

What: “Carnival of the Animals”

Where: The Saenger Theatre, 250 Conti St., Mobile, AL 36602

When: Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20, $30, $45 with VIP packages for $100, $155 and $225.

How: To purchase tickets or for more information, call 251-604-8827 or visit PMIart.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door 30 minutes prior to the performance, subject to availability.