A scene from Lightwire Theater’s “The Ugly Duckling.”

Local audience members will be electrified by the U.S. Lightwire Theater’s presentation of “The Ugly Duckling” at Pingshan Theater.

The performers will swirl and stomp through a high-spirited performance which is staged in total darkness, illuminated only by the thin light strips that outline the mechanical costumes worn by the dancers.

U.S. Lightwire Theater has complicated the traditional tale of a swan born among ducklings by adding an antagonistic poultry-craving alley cat. The ugly duckling does not simply grow into a beautiful adult; she rescues one of the ducklings from the clutches of the cat in a thrilling ninja-like battle of beasts. The threat posed by the hungry predator may evoke a flicker of fright from small audience members. But the action-packed climax will cause the small faces to beam. All ends happily amid good feelings and gratitude.

A scene from Lightwire Theater’s “The Ugly Duckling.”

Time: 8 p.m., July 18-19

Tickets: 80-280 yuan

Booking: WeChat account “PingShanTheatre”

Venue: Pingshan Theater, Pingshan District (坪山大剧院)

Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1