| "Nutcracker" Is A Christmas Tradition | |
|
What would Christmas be without "The Nutcracker"? This holiday favorite is a production of the Huntsville Ballet Company, the Community Ballet School, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra directed by Maestro Taavo Virkhaus and Huntsville Boychoir directed by Carmelita Gandy. Choreography was directed by Loyd Tygett, David Herriott, and Keren Gibb.
With so much talent in one production, Tchaikovsky's music comes alive in song, dance, scenery, and costumes. Rehearsals started the first of October and the dancers are ready to entertain you.
Special guest artist for the public performances is Kirill Zaretskiy from the Moscow Classical Ballet Company. He will dance the role of Sugar Plum Cavalier. Mr. Zaretskiy also choreographed the grand pas de deux adagio. He will be joined onstage by Sugar Plum Fairies Brianna Crisler and Tracy Wilson.
I was lucky to see the production with two thousand third-graders who were treated to a special school performance sponsored by Boeing and Target. The audience's ooo's and aahs were clearly audible as the children chose not to hide their pleasure. We were amazed as the Christmas tree grew and changed right before our eyes. Animals scampered about the stage, actors were flown in, snow fell, mice and toy soldiers danced. The bright, cheerful costumes by costumer Betty Brasher were made for a Christmas party and the magic began.
They say to never perform with children and animals--they'll steal the show. The sheep were darling; the daisies were dainty and precious. One of the little girls in the party scene was smiling and laughing the whole way through. She seemed to be enjoying herself immensely. Her partner couldn't help but smile, too.
Nutcracker performers include Ellen Styles, Josie Craig, Carrie Daniel, Abbey Hester, Phoebe Jones, Kelsey Lenzner, Spencer Alfson, Luke Chitwood, Douglas Cox, Carter Simpson, Paul Appleman, Kris McConnell, Clarissa Sharp, Robert Salinas, Meg Hall, Louise Heidish, David Herriott, Abbye Davenport, Meg Johnson, Lauren McCullough, Sarah Thomas, Brittany Beabout, Aryn Michael Dendy, Kristin Hanson, and Jillian Hefner.
More
"Nutcracker"
Nutcracker
Comments in the Forum
