New name, same 'Roar': Augusta Ballet performing annual favorite 'Narnia'
The ballet’s name is different, but the decades-long Augusta tradition continues.
"Narnia," formerly known as "The Roar of Love," will be performed by the Augusta Ballet at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center in Evans Towne Center.
A performance for local schoolchildren will be at 10 a.m. March 24. Performances for the general public will be at 1 and 5 p.m. March 25.
The ballet – adapted from the C.S. Lewis book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – follows four English children in World War II England who discover a magic portal to Narnia, a land with mythical creatures and talking animals. The land is under the control of the White Witch, while its inhabitants wait for their true king, the lion Aslan.
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The ballet’s music is from "The Roar of Love," a 1980 concept album from the Christian rock band The 2nd Chapter of Acts. Lewis’ book, while written as a children’s story, includes an allegory representing the crucifixion of Jesus.
Augusta-area dancers under the tutelage of Ron Jones have performed the ballet since 1986, when the production began as a recital piece for Jones’ fledgling ballet school. It has since grown with increasingly lavish costumes and production quality.
For tickets, call (706) 447-6767 or visit the arts center’s website, thecenterofcc.com.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Ballet returns annual 'Roar' production to stage as 'Narnia'
