Travel with King Louis XIV of France, ballet’s first superstar, on a 60-minute tour through the world of ballet as New York City Ballet launches Family Fanfare, a new program designed to introduce children ages four and up to ballet.

Traveling by time machine from the 17th Century, King Louis XIV will discover how ballet has evolved from then until now. The program will include video clips and live excerpts from ballets by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins performed by advanced students from the School of American Ballet.

An accomplished dancer, King Louis XIV appeared as Apollo, the sun god, in a performance in 1653 and thereafter came to be known as France’s Sun King. For the Family Fanfare program Louis will be portrayed by Brian Bara.

Created by New York City Ballet’s Education Department, Family Fanfare will be presented on Saturday, January 15 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and on Saturday, January 22 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The programs will take place at the Clark Studio Theater on the seventh floor of the Samuel B & David Rose Building located at 70 Lincoln Center Plaza.

Tickets are $5 for children and $7 for adults, and may be purchased in advance at the box office of the New York State Theater at 63rd Street & Columbus or by fax at 212-870-5693. All adults must be accompanied by a child.

For more information on New York City Ballet’s Family Fanfare Program, visit the NYCB web site at nycballet.com or call the Education Department at 212-870-4074.