Performances of the Lake Charles Civic Ballet’s Assemble 2016 will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20, in the Lake Charles Civic Center’s Rosa Hart Theater.

The show will open with the one-act comic ballet “Gaite Parisienne.” The piece, set in a Parisian cafe, will leave audiences laughing as various characters search in vain for l’amour. And the can-can dancers will thrill with high kicks and lightning-fast turns. 

“Amen,” a work fusing classical ballet and tap with Dixieland jazz hymns, will feature live vocals by Tony James and Ashley Williams. It is performed in an old-fashioned tent-revival setting.

“The Goose with the Golden Legs” brings Eloise Huber’s second children’s book to the stage and is set to live narration and original music by Chris Miller, director of Barbe High School’s show choir, with illustrations by Robbie Austin. The tale reminds us of the importance of using our talents to serve others. 

“We’ve All Been There”  and “Synergy” — contemporary dances by choreographer Golden Wright — add an exciting dimension to the program.

William G. Rose’s original composition, “The Seasons,” featuring live accompaniment by the Pastiche quartet, is a series of dances choreographed to capture both seasonal elements and emotional reactions to the seasons.

Closing the program is the upbeat music of Leif Pedersen’s 1944 Big Band in “A Night at the Sands,” reminiscent of an evening in 1950s Las Vegas.

Master of ceremonies Mark Judson will introduce each musical selection in the style of a live broadcast of the era.

With choreography by Rody Broussard of Bayouland Ballroom and the vocals of Pedersen, former featured vocalist with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, the show-stopping finale — set to the live, onstage music of a 14-piece big band — will leave the audience wanting more.

“It just gives a whole different energy to the performances, having the live music,” said De Ann Rosteet, president of the LCCB.

Ticket prices start at $20 and can be purchased at the Civic Center box office, 491-1432, or at www.ticketmaster.com.

More information at lakecharlescivicballet.com