ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The curtain is set to rise on Ithaca Ballet's original production of Snow White this weekend.

Based on the original Brothers Grimm fairytale, this version of Snow White is danced to the original choreography and music of Lavinia Reid created 30 years ago.

Maria Valencia-Alavarez, Principal Dancer with Ithaca Ballet, is stepping into the shoes of the story's iconic title character.

"It's a great honor because every single little kid would like to be a princess," she said. "I really want people to think that we are embracing, and I am embracing, the story of Snow White."

For Valencia-Alavarez, the experience has not only been rewarding, but has also carried a sense of nostalgia.

"It's almost like [reliving your childhood]. It's been fun to relive the childhood memories [of you wanting] to be a princess, and now you get the chance to portray those [memories] in your dancing." 

It has also given the entire ballet company a chance to "reintroduce themselves" to the community after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As dancers, we couldn't perform for a long time," Valencia-Alavarez said. "So to come back again and perform for all of [the audience members], it really fills up our hearts."

Valencia-Alavarez hopes the ballet will bring audiences joy and a period of peace from the outside world.

"We really want to bring you a moment to forget everything that's happening outside in the world...and [have you] disconnect and enjoy the performance," she said.

Ithaca Ballet's production of Snow White will play at the State Theater of Ithaca on Saturday for two performances: one at 3 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m. An additional original ballet called Ellipses will also follow both performances. 

Tickets can be bought at the State Theater of Ithaca's box office or online at stateofithaca.org.