Of all the story ballets,  "The Sleeping Beauty" is the most taxing.  A demanding score, a slew of special effects and a killer Rose Adagio section can challenge the most veteran of companies.

    The Columbia City Ballet, under the artistic direction of William Starrett, opened its season Friday at the Koger center with a sparkling version of the classic ballet to the delight of an enthusiastic audience.

    Milton Duke's scene designs and Harry Sparks' lighting enhanced the accomplished dance of a talented and well rehearsed ballet troupe.  The lights gradually dim as Tchaikovsky's lovely music fills the theater.  And the story of Princess Aurora, who is put to sleep by her evil godmother, Carabosse, begins it's spellbound journey.

    Starrett's treatment of the prologue defines the story and the characters nicely during a colorful palace scene where the Fairy Carabosse pronounces that on Princess Aurora's 16th birthday, she will surely die.

    Dancing the role of Carabosse, Fiona Hutchison turns in a fine dramatic and technical performance.  Hutchison starring in CBS's daytime drama, "Guiding Light", showed beautiful lyricism in a coquettish and sinister role.

    As the four suitors, Anthony Hampton, Allen Hansen, Peter Kozak and Mitchell Moore danced well and added the quality of sex appeal.

    In Act I, however Starrett fails to use these athletic and graceful me to their full ability.  As Aurora tries to choose her prince, the four simply walk as if performing the maypole dance.

    Mariclaire Miranda-Frist, dancing the role of Aurora, now performs the most difficult movement in all of ballet as she places her hand in that of the first prince, and slowly rises on one pointe as the Rose Adagio begins.

    Requiring perfect control and timing during sustained passages, Frost dances in arabesque in succession with the four suitors, and the audience seemed to be holding it's breath as the ballerina continued to turn.

    Leigh Sheridan as the Songbird Fairy and Tracy Yanckello as the Fairy of Golden Vine showed nice lines and crisp movement.

    As Prince Charming, Starrett's partnering with Frost is outstanding.