The storyline of the ballet “Firebird with Serenade” is set in a fairytale. It involves princesses, spells and castles. However, the foundational theme of the piece is based on the realities of reunion and love.

That’s the message choreographer and the Richmond Ballet’s Ma Cong, associate artistic director, wants to give the audience at the Dominion Energy Center when the dance makes its East Coast premiere Feb. 17-19. Ma Cong’s one-act “Firebird” includes more than 30 dancers with a cultural mix and a goal of storytelling through dance.

“I wanted to make it like people living in current times,” Mr. Cong said, adding that the original work dates back to 1910.

“There are several different versions and multiple versions in the world. I wanted to create something that can connect younger generations and bring young people to the ballet, but (we) didn’t change the (foundation),” he said.

The ballet centers around the character Prince Ivan who is lost in an enchanted garden and discovers a mystical “Firebird.” Through that “Firebird,” he eventually realizes his love for Tsarevna, a princess who was under the spell of an evil, immortal sorcerer Koschei. Prince Ivan, the 13 princesses, and the Firebird battle Koschei to free those held captive and rid the world of his evil presence.

“I have always wanted to bring ‘Firebird’ to Richmond. The (Igor) Stravinsky score is unbe- lievable, and I cannot wait to hear the Richmond Symphony play it,” said Stoner Winslett, Richmond Ballet’s artistic director.

“Firebird” will be paired with “Serenade” by legendary choreographer George Balanchine. The Richmond Symphony is accompanying both works, playing the music of Stravinsky and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, respectively. This is the Richmond Ballet’s first production of the popular dance.

Mr. Cong trained in Chinese classical dance at the Beijing Dance Academy. He moved to the

United States from China to dance with the Tulsa Ballet in 1999 and performed with the company until he retired from dancing in 2013. After having worked with the Richmond Ballet on other performances, including its New Works Festival, Mr. Cong was named associate artistic director in 2020 and relocated to Richmond in 2021.

With his family, he enjoys Richmond and working with the ballet dancers. He originally created his one-act “Firebird” for the Texas Ballet Theater in 2020.

“It is always exciting to restage a work on our very talented artists of Richmond Ballet. Each dancer brings their own style, artistry, and personality to the choreography, and I’ve enjoyed tailoring ‘Firebird’ to highlight the artists of our company,” Mr. Cong said.

“Firebird with Serenade” will be performed at the Dominion Energy Center 600 E. Grace St. Tickets are available at the Richmond Ballet box office or by visiting https://richmondballet.com/event/firebird-with-serenade/2023-02-17/.