SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Birmingham Ballet recently announced the premiere of &8220;Hansel and Gretel&8221; at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Concert Hall Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m.

The classic Brother&8217;s Grimm fairy tale depicts the story of two heroic children overcoming a harrowing entanglement with an evil witch.

&8220;Hansel and Gretel&8221; features original choreography by Cindy Free with professional dancers in lead roles, joined by a community cast of 100 young dancers from the Birmingham-Metro area.

Shelby County residents participating in the ballet include: Rachel Abel, Jacqueline Cannon, Sarah Fleming, Rachel Hellwig, Nikki Roskam, Anna Claire Vawter, Madison Smith, Catherine Baggette, Caroline Baggette, Traley Dimenna, Emily Jane Truchon, Blaine Elward and Stephanie Wingard.

For more information, visit birminghamballet.co