The Children’s Theatre Company will stage “Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, in the Central School Arts and Humanities Center, 809 Kirby St.

Taylor Simon, CTC associate director, said the show’s cast and crew have kept the story, characters and songs intact while also bringing something new to the table.

“When we decided to produce ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ I hadn’t seen the movie in years. We wanted to play homage to the film, but also sort of change it up,” he said.

“For instance, the three fairies in the film are different in our production. We still have the red, green and blue fairies, but ours are dressed in spunky tutus and have different personalities.”

Simon said CTC chose the production for its wide array of characters, allowing more of its actors to get stage experience. “We want to get the kids as much stage time as possible for the education of it,” he said. “And this show lent itself well to that.”

Jillian Engel, 14, plays Princess Aurora. She said she was drawn to the role out of her love for the film.

“When I was younger my parents took me to Disney World, and I just really wanted to meet Sleeping Beauty,” she said. “I just really relate to her, and she’s always been my favorite.”

Engel said the show — which has her character in an enchanted sleep for much of its second half — is a challenge for her as an actress.

“I’m supposed to be asleep through most of Act 2, and it’s hard because there’s a battle scene going on,” she said. “So I have to make sure I’m peaceful and not reacting.”

Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and can be purchased at www.childrenstheatre.cc or by phone at 433-7323.

Maleficent (Abigail Guillory) lures over the peaceful Sleeping Beauty (Jillian Engel) to cast a wicked spell. (Rick Hickman / American Press)

Rick Hickman

The 3 whimsical fairies (Savannah Andrews as Fauna

Rick Hickman