Shanghai Ballet will dance “La Sylphide” at the Hylton Center in Manassas Nov. 22

The Shanghai Ballet will be at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas with its production of “La Sylphide” on Friday, Nov. 22, 2013 at 8 p.m. Early reviews have called the performance “spellbinding.”

The Hylton Performing Arts Center is located on George Mason University’s Prince William Campus at 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, Va., 20110. Free parking is available in the lot next to the Hylton Center

Arrive early for the pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders, starting at 7:15 p.m. in the Hylton Center’s Buchanan Partners Art Gallery. Novant Health is the 2013-2014 Hylton Presents Season Sponsor.

One of the world’s earliest romantic ballets, “La Sylphide” is a gripping tale of a young man who loses his heart on his wedding day to a beautiful and mysterious spirit. He leaves his bride at the altar to pursue this celestial being, only to encounter tragedy and heartbreak when he finally catches the elusive spirit.

Since its founding in 1979, the Shanghai Ballet has enchanted audiences across the globe with its interpretations of classical Chinese and Western ballets.

The 20th century Chinese ballet “The White-Haired Girl” brought the company to international prominence and enabled it to introduce to audiences its new folk-styled productions of “The Butterfly Lovers” and “A Sigh of Love.”

The company’s repertoire also includes such classics as “Swan Lake,” “Coppélia,” “The Nutcracker,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Serenade,” as well as such modern works as “The Imagination of Red,” “Fébrile” and “Conversation with Chopin.”

The dance corps of celebrated veterans and rising stars has won more than 30 medals at dance competitions in China and around the world, and has performed to audiences in more than 100 global cities. The Shanghai Ballet is led by former principal dancer and Artistic Director Xin Lili.

Shanghai Ballet will dance “The Butterfly Lovers” on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 at 8 p.m. and “La Sylphide” on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013 at 4 p.m. at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax. Go to cfa.gmu.edu for more information.

Tickets for the SHANGHAI BALLET are $56, $48 and $40. Family Friendly: recommended for younger audiences. Youth Discount: tickets are half price for youth through grade 12. The box office is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday evenings until to 8 p.m. or charge by phone at 888-945-2468 or go to HyltonCenter.org.