Romeo and Juliet dance the classical love story.

Although the timeframe for the beloved ballet was set centuries ago by Shakespeare, the love story is timeless, and so is the contemporary cause. This year part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be given to the National Heart Association. The connection is very personal.

“The guest dancers, coming here from Europe, China, Florida, Pennsylvania, know they are dancing for the National Heart Association,” said Radenko Pavlovich, artistic director of the Columbia Classical Ballet. “It is a cause they believe in. That’s why they come.”

Guest artists arriving in Columbia one day before the production are Zachary Hench and Julie Diana from the Pennsylvania Ballet; Stephanie Murrish–Gaifullen and Daniil Gaifullin, currently principals with Charleston Ballet Theater; Attila Bonger from the Hungarian National Ballet; Hong Yang from the National Ballet of China; Pablo Javier Perez from the Teatro Del Colon; and Regan Messer, formerly with the Boston Ballet

The presence of the highly–acclaimed guest artists is an understated tribute to Pavlovich who missed his own Life Chance production one recent year when he was stricken with a heart attack. “There is no question in mind. The doctors here in Columbia saved my life.”

Pavlovich credits ballet board director Lee Lumpkin for LifeChance benefitting the National Heart Association. February is National Heart Month.

The curtain will open at 7:30 pm Saturday, January 29, at the Koger Center. For ticket information call 251-2222.