Snow White, A Ballet for Everyone

Before the show started, I saw many young girls running around the lobby in their Snow White dresses and costumes, all giddy and excited to see a princess story performed by ballerinas. I also saw many older, elegant and well-dressed adults who were ready to see the classic story put into the art form of dance. Kansas City Ballet’s performance of Snow White was exactly that: a classic, family-friendly tale that enchanted all members of the audience. 

On February 27, 2026 at the Folly Theater, I had the opportunity to see Kansas City Ballet’s Snow White, choreographed by Burce Wells, and it was nothing shy of a satisfactory experience. The show was performed by KCB’s second company. Whether it was your first time at the ballet, or if going to the ballet is a regular experience, my take was this show was perfect for anyone.

Snow White was advertised as a “family-friendly” performance, and from my viewing of the show, it really was just that. This ballet was also narrated. Going into the theater I was skeptical about what a narrated ballet would be like, as I had never seen one before. However, I ended up enjoying it. Ballets express their stories through movement and pantomime, making it hard for young or unfamiliar audiences to understand what is going on. Being narrated made it easy for the audience to follow along with the story. I could only think back to the young girls I saw before the show and how the narration probably helped them better understand where the ballet was in the familiar storyline. As someone who has danced and watched ballet my whole life and understands it, I didn't mind the narration, as it wasn’t excessive at all. The narrator, Jasper McCann, would only speak a few sentences, then the audience would be able to continue listening to the wonderful music and watching the graceful dancing. The narration didn’t take away from the art of the ballet, which I appreciated. 

I was also beyond impressed with the second company dancers, trainees and Kansas City Ballet students who made this ballet come to life. I watched the perfectly curated Cast Two, with Audrey Lynn as Snow White, Corabelle Kennedy as the Evil Queen, Zoey Uhlman as Snow White’s Mother and Isabella Martino and Owen Watson doing the Butterfly Court pas. With this cast I was able to see the dancers’ strengths. Martino played a role that required strength in turns (which she has) and Kennedy's sharp movements and stage presence fit the Evil Queens acting-heavy role nicely. Lynn danced with fluidity and cleanliness, and as a ballet dancer, I could not stop looking at her perfectly arched ballet feet. I was also shocked and impressed with how Kennedy and Uhlman were able to dance around and not get tripped up on their dresses and capes, which were so long they could touch the ground. They danced as if their extravagant skirts weren't even there. 

My advice is not to take the second company for granted; they put on a high-level show that was enjoyable for everyone. I would recommend taking advantage of any second company or family-friendly shows Kansas City Ballet produces. They are quick shows, cheaper than the company shows performed at the Kauffman and a good way to ease into experiencing the art of ballet.