FLATBUSH  — Covenant Ballet Theater, led by creative force and community arts leader Marla Hirokawa, premiered “Charles’ Carol,” a spin on the timeless classic “A Christmas Carol.” 

Hirokawa revisited the classic holiday tale with historic and biographical details of Charles Dickens’ personal story, touching on themes of poverty and child labor. Hirokawa hopes the original ballet will become at annual, seasonal classic at CBT.

“It’s been over a year since I’ve been considering doing a take on ‘A Christmas Carol,’” Hirokawa told the Brooklyn Eagle. “The ballet begins and ends on Dickens, whose childhood experience as a young boy, impoverished and one of many child laborers, becomes the motivation for his writing of ‘Carol.’ Time — past, present and future — also play an important role in the ballet as in the book.”

Founded by Hirokawa in 1987, CBT is built on the premise that a serious ballet education is needed to advance the art form, train youth and improve the lives of those within its embrace. Young dancers in the heart of Brooklyn have the opportunity to learn discipline and classical dance skills at CBT, and they are able to participate in Hirokawa’s original ballets. In an accepting, yet rigorous environment, CBT fosters the love of dance through pre-professional training, educational programs in New York City schools and original ballet productions.