The Russian National Ballet will reawaken the spirit of true love and happily ever after when it performs a classical rendition of Sleeping Beauty, one of Tchaikovsky's most successful ballets, tonight at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Composed of more than 50 dancers, the Russian National Ballet was founded with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The company combines the styles of classical and contemporary ballet, performing "Swan Lake," "Giselle" and modern pieces to the music of Mozart and Bach. Touring countries including Italy, Japan, Australia and South Korea, the company works toward its mission to expose the talent and work of the masters of the Russian ballet.

"[The company] does such a tremendous job, and they get ovations everywhere they go," George Trudeau, director of the Center for the Performing Arts, said.

Trudeau said this event took two years organize. He said this is the first time the Russian National Ballet will perform at Penn State, although he has worked closely with the company's artistic director, Sergei Radchenko, for more than a decade.

"I have extreme faith in his artistic ability and the work he does with the company. That was one of the principal reasons why I was interested in bringing the company to perform Sleeping Beauty," he said.

The two-and-a-half-hour performance retells the story of Princess Aurora, who is cursed by Carabosse because she was not invited to Aurora's christening celebration. Aurora is destined to one day prick her finger and die. Yet with the magical help of the Lilac Fairy, Aurora will instead fall into a deep sleep for 100 years, only to awake from a kiss from a prince.

"I don't think I've ever seen this company, but what I've ready about them continuing the tradition of the old story ballets -- I really admire that," Spence Ford, Penn State ballet instructor, said.

The ballet, under the direction of renowned choreographer Marius Petipa, premiered in Russia in 1890. The original company integrated pantomime, folk dance and character with the pointe work and bravura of high ballet art, Ford said.

Laura Sullivan, spokeswoman for the Center for the Performing Arts, said the center had to release balcony seats for sale because of the performance's high demand.

"This particular ballet, because it is a story ballet and a very familiar title, [the event is] featured as a family event on our season," she said.

Sullivan said Eisenhower Auditorium will host a craft workshop for young patrons with some snacks today one hour before the performance begins.

"[However,] we also regularly promote our dance events to the dance schools in the area," Sullivan said.

Ford said she believes Sleeping Beauty is a wonderful opportunity for her students to experience the ballet art form, which is why she requires her students to attend.

The Dance Advisory Board has about 30 to 35 dance students attending the event, said Gina Passero (senior-marketing), board member and event organizer.

The board, composed of eight dance students, was created last year as a way to better address the concerns and needs of the dance community at Penn State. On the board's agenda is the need for more dance facilities, as well as additional support and involvement in the performing arts.

"I just don't think that dances are advertised very well," Passero said. "Even though I'm a senior, [dance] is something that has played a very important in my life, and I want it to keep growing in the future."