Shenzhen audience members will be electrified by the U.S. Lightwire Theater’s presentation of “The Ugly Duckling” in Longgang.

Led by choreographer/director/dancer Ian Carney, the four-person cast swirls and stomps through a high-spirited performance. The show is performed in total darkness, illuminated only by the thin light strips that outline the mechanical costumes worn by the dancers.

The handmade neon costumes are fascinating by themselves. Carney and company have 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. “We didn’t want it to be just about beauty. I’m a boy. I wanted a fight,” said Carney.

Time: 3 p.m., 7:30 p.m., May 27

Tickets: 80-120 yuan

Booking: 400-185-8666

Venue: Longgang Cultural Center, east side of Longcheng Square, Longgang District (龙岗区龙城广场东侧龙岗文化中心)

Metro: Line 3, Longcheng Square Station (龙城广场站), Exit D