La Boutique Fantasque takes place in a circa 1900's toyshop on the French Riviera, run by Gerard, a doddering shopkeeper and his wife, Amelie. The ballet opens with the couple preparing for what promises to be a profitable day. Customers are gathered outside the large windows eagerly waiting for the shop to open. As Gerard unlocks the doors, the children of the families pour into the shop and are delighted with what they find. While the children play with the toys, Gerard tries in vain to get the parents to buy something.

Meanwhile, two children of a rather large American family decide to hide in the shop when their family leaves, hoping to play with all the toys they were unable to convince their parents to buy. While they close the store to retire for the evening, the irritated shopkeeper blames his wife for the day's bad fortune. As night falls, the Pinocchio doll finds the two children and organizes a performance of all the toys for their entertainment.

Later in the evening, the angry parents return to wake the shopkeeper, collect their naughty children, and voice their displeasure. Again, Gerard blames his wife for their misfortune and commands her to clean the shop. Unhappily, Amelie sweeps the floor, remembering times that were happy and carefree.

As she daydreams, Pinocchio calls on the Blue Fairy (the spirit who enchants the toyshop), who transforms Amelie's daydreams into reality.

When Gerard returns, he is shocked by his wife's transformation and demands an explanation from her. The Blue Fairy invites Amelie and all of the toys to flee the toyshop, leaving the stunned shopkeeper alone. Dejectedly, Gerard sweeps the floor. Upon finding a picture of his young bride, he too remembers when they were happy together and weeps. Amelie comes back to check on him, and seeing his sorrow, tries to console him. The shopkeeper is elated to see his wife again and begs forgiveness. They reconcile in a romantic pas de deux. The ballet ends with all of the toys returning to the shop and dancing the grand finale.

THE PORTLAND BALLET, formerly known as Pacific Artists Ballet, is home to Portland's premier youth ballet company, and pre-professional ballet academy. Established in 2001 by Nancy Davis and Jim Lane, TPB is based upon their vision of providing high quality ballet instruction and performance to the people of the Portland metropolitan area. A non-profit corporation, both programs are dedicated to providing excellence in dance education and youth performance.

The organization provides over 150 young dancers the most comprehensive dancing training and performing experience in the area, including master classes by world-renown luminaries such as John Clifford, Alonzo King, and Clinton Rothwell, as well as opportunities to dance professional choreography in local theatres. Located in Southwest Portland, The Portland Ballet is also home for the area's rich community of professional dance teachers, all with extensive performing and teaching experience.

For more information about donations or volunteering with The Portland Ballet, please call 503-452-8448 or email info@theportlandballet.org

Mission Statement: THE PORTLAND BALLET is dedicated to providing the finest professional quality ballet instruction in an environment that is challenging, disciplined, rigorous, while at the same time safe, healthy, and nurturing. TPB also provides performance experience for pre-professional dancers and emerging choreographers and promotes ballet appreciation in the community through outreach and education.