CEDAR FALLS - Expect musicians from the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra to be in the pit when gators, a firebird and Sorcerer's Apprentice invade the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center next Sunday.

They won't be hiding out.

The orchestra will be playing symphonic masterpieces from Disney's "Fantasia" as dancers from Attitudes Dance by Aimee pirouette and leap across the Great Hall stage in the WCFSO's family-friendly ballet. The performance takes place at 2 p.m.

"It's a wonderful way to present classical music to young people. Kids universally seem to know about 'Fantasia,' having seen the original or the newer version of the Disney classic. We will be in the pit for the first time for the family concert - not the pit under the stage, but at the same level as the audience. Part of the show is to educate children about the orchestra and instruments," says Music Director Jason Weinberger.

As conductor, it helps "for me to be able to see the dancers, and being in the pit makes that possible. My job is to make sure the tempo stays the same every time for the performers," he explains.

Aimee Langlas-Landergott and her company have been in rehearsals since last fall. She choreographed the entire ballet, which includes "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and "Firebird," and features about 50 dancers.

She describes her work as "challenging. I wanted to follow the story line from the animated films, to capture and replicate that excitement and fun on stage. It's the first time many of the dancers have performed with live music."

"Fantasia" is based on the 1940 animated classic and 2000 remastered release. Eight pieces of classical music, including composers George Gershwin, Stravinsky and Beethoven, were performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton on legendary conductor Leopold Stokoswki. The Disney film featured animated artwork to accompany the concert with Mickey Mouse as "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." It was the first major film released in stereophonic sound.

The WCFSO and ballet company have a single rehearsal - on the morning of the performance - to nail down details. "Everyone will have to be on their game. The orchestra has played a good number of the pieces before, but there will be lots of theatrics, special lighting and effects that we'll have to be ready for," Weinberger explains.

Brianne Wilson of Waverly, cast as the frenetic and vibrant "Firebird," loves that her character "puts zest into the show. It's a fun, fast piece - allegro - so I'm dancing really fast. I'm more tuckered out when it's over," she says, laughing.

Representatives from the Minnesota Ballet are expected to be in the audience to watch Wilson perform. In addition, Wilson will spend spring break in New York City, receiving intensive training with one of America's most sought-after ballet instructors, master teacher and technician Finis Jhung.

"I think it will be a good experience, and I'll find out if I'm fit for a career in ballet or not. Dancing this role is good experience for me. When you walk into an audition or class, you want to be prepared, ready for anything because you never know what you'll be asked to dance."

Nine-year-old Jessica McMurrin of Cedar Falls is thrilled about her butterfly duet. "It's not hard to do. I've seen the movie but never thought I'd be dancing to it." Fellow dancer Krista Mills of Independence, 17, is dancing four roles, which she says is challenging, particularly the idea of performing to live music.

Maria Mulnix, a recent high school graduate, has been assisting Langlas-Landergott as a teacher. She'll also dance five roles in the show. "It's a lot different being a teacher because you're working with lots of age groups and you have to know all the roles and pay attention to the music, and make sure everyone knows their parts. Now I'm glad because I'm having to dance, too."

Langlas-Landergott says Mulnix is trying to raise funds to take advantage of a prestigious internship she has been offered at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. The show will be videotaped and a portion of the proceeds from sales will go toward her scholarship fund.

Contact Melody Parker at 291-1429 or melody.parker@wcfcourier.com.