A whimsical tale for all ages.
Indianapolis Ballet closes its 25/26 season with Peter and the Wolf, a whimsical production perfect for audiences of all ages. Explore the magic of Prokofiev's classic symphonic ballet that introduces children to the orchestra. Discover how each character, from the brave Peter to the hungry wolf, is represented by a unique instrument, teaching kids about musical literacy, bravery, and storytelling through dance and sound. This program also includes a company premiere of Michael Vernon’s In a Country Garden, along with Francis Veyette’s new children’s ballet, When I Grow Up.
Performances
The Tobias Theater at Newfields
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 3:00pm
Quick Info
Approximately 1.5 hours
Recommended for ages 3 & up
Includes:
Peter and the Wolf, choreography by Kristin Young Toner
In A Country Garden, choreography by Michael Vernon
When I Grow Up, choreography by Francis Veyette
Access Pass Members: If you are a part of the Access Pass Program and would like to purchase tickets, please call us at (317) 955-7525.
Venue
The Tobias Theater at Newfields
4000 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Free lot and garage parking is available.
The Music
The Story
Peter and the Wolf
Originally composed by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936, Peter and the Wolf is a "symphonic fairy tale" that has become a staple of both orchestral concerts and ballet stages. It is one of the most celebrated works for introducing young audiences to the world of classical music and performance art.
The tale follows a young boy named Peter, who lives with his grumpy but protective Grandfather in the forest by a meadow. Despite warnings about a dangerous wolf lurking nearby, Peter ventures out to play in the meadow.
He is joined by his friends: a bird, a duck, and a cat. When the wolf eventually emerges from the woods and swallows the duck, Peter uses his ingenuity and the help of the bird to capture the wolf. With the help of the arriving hunters, searching for the wolf, Peter leads a triumphant procession to take the animal to the zoo.
What makes this piece unique is that each character is represented by a specific instrument and a musical theme (leitmotif):
Peter: String instruments
The Bird: Flute
The Duck: Oboe
The Cat: Clarinet
Grandfather: Bassoon
The Wolf: French Horns
The Hunters: Kettle Drums & Bass Drum