FALMOUTH — Set to a score by Peter Tchaikovsky, “Sleeping Beauty” has been a mainstay of classical ballet for more than  years.

Beginning on Friday, March 25, the Maine State Ballet will present a three-week run of the fairy tale at its theater.

“Sleeping Beauty” tells the story of Princess Aurora, who as a baby is cursed by the evil Carabosse to prick her finger and die on her 16th birthday. The Lilac Fairy cannot undo the evil fairy’s spell, but she is able to change it. Instead of dying, Princess Aurora falls asleep for 100 years, when she is awakened by true love’s kiss.

The ballet is full of beautiful fairies, lovely ladies, evil characters, handsome princes and characters from other fairy tales.

“Sleeping Beauty” will be performed in three acts with a running time of just over two hours on the following dates: March 25 at 7 p.m.; March 26 at 2 and 7 p.m.; March 27 at 2 p.m.; April 1 at 7 p.m.; April 2 at 2 and 7 p.m.; April 3 at 2 p.m.; April 8 at 7 p.m.; April 9 at 2 and 7 p.m.; April 10 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and children 12 & under. For tickets, visit www.mainestateballet.org or call 781-3587 weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Nathaniel Dombek, Maiki Saito, Michael Holden and Boomer Druchniak surround Janet Davis in a scene from Maine State Ballet’s “Sleeping Beauty.”