Spooky ballet

Sergio Neglia is Baba Yaga in the Neglia Ballet Artists' production.

"Baba Yaga," a spooky Halloween ballet, will be performed by Neglia Ballet Artists at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at the UB Center for the Arts, North Campus, Amherst.

Based on a Russian folk tale, Sergio Neglia plays Baba Yaga, the evil witch who lures a young girl witch who lures a young girl named Misha to a strange cottage built on chicken legs and prepares to eat her.

An eerie crew of skeletons, goblins and crows (led by principal ballerina Sherri Campagni) is helping Baba Yaga, but Misha, aided by friendly woodland creatures, triumphs in the end.

Misha is played by 13-year-old Rachel Zimmer, in her first starring role. She has been a Neglia student since the age of 4.

Featuring music by Grieg, Mussorgsky, Stravinsky and Glazunov, "Baba Yaga" is aimed equally at the ballet enthusiast and the young child getting his or her first glimpse of classical ballet.

The production promises to be a feast for the eyes, ears and imagination, with eerie sets by David Butler and Mark DiVincenzo, colorful costumes by Donna Massimo, and lighting effects by Brian Cavanaugh.

There will be pre-performance activities beginning at 6 p.m., including a costume contest, a reading of the Baba Yaga fairytale and free donuts and cider.

Tickets are $15 for children and $22 for adults and are available at the Center for the Arts box office and through Ticketmaster at 852-5000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.