Cinderella and Prince Charming share the bill...

Cinderella and Prince Charming share the bill with a musical menagerie of dancing animals this weekend when the South Bay Ballet presents two classics for children in the James R. Armstrong Theatre at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center.

The company will perform “The Carnival of the Animals,” based on the suite by French composer Saint-Saens, and an abridged version of Prokofiev’s “Cinderella” in a colorful, humorous presentation for young audiences.

The semiannual children’s production gives youngsters a chance to experience classical dance in an atmosphere that is relaxed and fun, said Diane Lauridsen, artistic director of the South Bay Ballet.

“Kids these days don’t have much hands-on experience with the arts and certainly not with ballet,” Lauridsen said. “They’re told that it’s stuffy and boring, (but our production) gives them a chance to try it for themselves and find that it’s not that way.”

When a gorilla from “The Carnival of the Animals” leaves the stage and chooses an audience member to waltz with, the performance seems sure to recruit new balletomanes.

Both ballets will use some narration to help children follow along. Ogden Nash’s verse, written to accompany “The Carnival of the Animals,” will give voice to cavorting kangaroos, toddling turtles and leaping lions.

After the hourlong performance, children ages 3 to 12 can join a dance workshop where they may try some of the steps.

During the one-hour workshop, budding dancers can learn to chasse in a sliding gallop or weave their legs in an echappe saute just like one of the characters from “The Carnival of the Animals.”

“We change the steps a little so they won’t fall down and hurt themselves,” Lauridsen said.

Tickets for the 2 p.m. Sunday show are sold out. Performance times on Monday are 2 and 3:30 p.m. Ballet tickets are $6; workshop tickets are $1. The Torrance Cultural Arts Center is at 3330 Civic Center Drive. Information: (310) 375-3693 or (310) 781-7171.