The Savannah Ballet Theatre (SBT) will present its original ballet adaptation of The Wizard of Oz at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Lucas Theatre for the Performing Arts, 32 Abercorn St. in downtown Savannah. Featuring performances by SBT’s world-renowned professional dancers, this one-of-a-kind ballet is perfect for all ages.

Celebrating its 80^th anniversary in 2019, L. Frank Baum’s classic tale has ignited imaginations in the young and young-at-heart for generations. In honor of this special milestone, SBT’s production will feature multimedia projections, spectacular sets and colorful costumes sure to capture the magic that fans have treasured over the years as the story has been presented in various forms and genres.

A free “touch tour” will be held before the show at 5:30 p.m. This tour will offer patrons who are hearing or visually impaired the opportunity to visit the set, touch costumes, and hear a description of the production before the performance. Reservations must be made by calling Education Director Abby McCuen at 912-200-9406.

SBT will also hold a special performance of The Wizard of Oz for schools at 10 a.m. Friday, March 22 at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts. The cost is $5 per student, and teachers will be admitted for free. A coloring sheet and study guide will be included, offering an educational element. Students and teachers must RSVP for this performance by calling 912-897-2102.

“The goal of SBT is to give the joy of dance to Savannah, and make it accessible to every audience,” said SBT Artistic and Studio Director Suzanne Braddy. “We’re proud to honor the 80^th anniversary of such a beloved classic with a beautiful production and incredible dancers. I know Savannah will love it.”

Currently celebrating its 21^st season, SBT was established in 1998 under the artistic direction of Suzanne Braddy. Recognized as the premiere dance company in Southeast Georgia, SBT is best known locally for its annual production of the perennial holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. SBT presents a full season of classical and contemporary dance and has staged productions of Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and an original adaptation based on CS Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Wizard of Oz brings the current season to a close after running Sleepy Hollow in October and The Nutcracker in December.

SBT is Savannah and southeast Georgia’s only professional dance company. It is their mission to develop and showcase the talent of dedicated Savannah dancers alongside top professional dancers who train in the studio, and to engage in educational outreach and promotion of the art of dance within the community.

Tickets for The Wizard of Oz can be purchased for $25 each from the Savannah Box Office by calling 912-525-5050 or visiting www.savannahboxoffice.com, also accessible from the Savannah Ballet Theatre’s website. For more information about this performance or the SBT, please visit www.savannahballettheatre.org.