In a charming tale set in the animal kingdom, New York Theatre Ballet’s “Once Upon a Ballet” series presents Carnival of the Animals for six shows, Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29  at 11:00 A.M., 1:00 P.M., and 3:30 P.M each day. Designed for audiences ages 3 and up, this one-hour family-friendly program also features Antony Tudor’s 1953 dance arrangement Little Improvisations. All seats for performances are just $30.

Set in a magical forest, NYTB’s Carnival of the Animals tells the story of Queen Diana and her shaggy lion who rule a charming assortment of animals and live quite peaceably. The fun begins when a pair of lost children wander in. Staged by Diana Byer, the ballet is set to the joyous score by Camille Saint-Saëns and features choreography by Beth Storey Taylor, costume design by Sylvia Taalsohn Nolan, and set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smith.

New York Theatre Ballet’s “Once Upon a Ballet” program will also feature Antony Tudor’s 1953 dance arrangement Little Improvisations. A delightful portrayal of two children playing in an attic on a rainy day, the ballet is set to Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Op. 15 and is staged for NYTB by Diana Byer. Costume adaptation for Little Improvisations is by Taalsohn Nolan. Lighting design for “Once Upon a Ballet” is by Derek Keifer.