Submitted Photo Dance students with the Rinat Mouzafarov Institute of Dance and Ballet Theatre who are playing character roles in this weekend’s performance of “The Fairy Doll” are, from left to right: front, Ava Grace Rogers, Isaac Siembida, Blaine Walker Gaskill, Carter Klein; middle, Linnea Gillis, Ruby Lormejuste, Olivia Christianson, Ali Haas, Annalise Hovde; back, Addison Pringle, Noah Robson, Kourtney Klein, Kaydence Klein, Emma Nathe and Clara Withers. Haleigh Carr is not pictured. Photo by Ron Rouse.

The magic and wonder of a toy shop unfolds in “The Fairy Doll,” a ballet production to be presented by the Rinat Mouzafarov Institute of Dance and Ballet Studio this weekend.

Mouzafarov said the ballet is one he has wanted to bring to the stage for some time, but because it requires a high level of dance and acting skill, he has hesitated. However, he felt this is the year to take on the challenge. With the assistance of Tonya Lewis, the studio’s long-time costume and stage designer, and the hard work of his students, he is enthusiastic about the production they have prepared for audiences this Saturday and Sunday. Both shows are at 7 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Auditorium on the Minot State University campus.

Mouzafarov takes the role of a shopkeeper who owns a quaint toy shop with dolls from around the world. One night after the shopkeeper leaves, something magical happens. One by one, the dolls come to life, filling the shop with lively dances and playful mischief. A young errand boy, danced by ballet student Blaine Walker Gaskill, falls asleep in the shop and witnesses the magic in a dream. The production concludes with the shopkeeper’s return and his own magical experience with the Fairy Doll.

The ballet dates to the 19th century, with music composed by Josef Bayer. The version performed by Mouzafarov’s studio includes music from Piotr Tchaikovsky, Anton Rubenstein, Riccardo Drigo and Anatoly Lyadov.

Mouzafarov said a cast of about 80 male and female students and adults are involved in the production, with some as young as age 3. Students dance in elaborate, international costumes that reflect the period of the composer. Mouzafarov has choreographed dances representative of multiple countries, including Russia, Poland, Japan, China, Denmark, Germany and France. He has added an American dance as well. There also are clown dolls, royal dolls, baby dolls, soldier boys, pantomime dolls and a jester doll and poet doll.

The role of the fairy doll is performed by Olivia Christianson, one of the studio’s three graduating seniors. Haleigh Carr, the jester, and Ruby Lormejuste, the American doll and a shop customer, are the studio’s other graduates.

Behind-the-scenes contributors include stage manager Jeremy Siembida, who built some of the production props, and a number of studio parents who have sewn costumes and helped with rehearsal and production organization.

Tickets to “The Fairy Doll” will be available at the door but can be obtained in advance at Artmain and Eckroth Music in Minot.