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LBT to perform 'The Nutcracker' ballet
By Heather M. Goodwin, hgoodwin@starlocalnews.com
With less than a week until the performance, more than 75 percent of tickets for this year's performance of "The Nutcracker" have been sold; however, some seats still remain available.
The LakeCities Ballet (LBT) will present its rendition of "The Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24 and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Marcus High School Auditorium, 5707 Morriss Road in Flower Mound. Reserved tickets are available from $20 to $45 and are available at www.lakecitiesballet.org or by calling 972-317-7812 or at the door.
"The shows don't always sell out so quickly. We believe it is because we have a larger cast than usual and because Marcus has a smaller seating capacity then Lewisville High School," said Kelly Lannin, LBT artistic director. "Marcus seats approximately 850, and LHS seated approximately 1200."
"The stage is not as wide so our backdrops will be a little too large for the stage," Lannin said. "But Marcus has an orchestra pit, and LHS does not. This is great because our audiences in the past have had to see the conductor and the musicians because there is no pit at LHS. However, the pit is not large enough for our 50 plus members of the Lewisville Lake Symphony so we have to be creative in fitting them all in. All in all, the administration and theater department at Marcus has been wonderful in accommodating 'The Nutcracker' this year, and we are so grateful."
In addition to the venue change, this year's performance will include new faces. Sarah Lane and Sascha Radetsky from American Ballet Theatre will be dancing the lead roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Lane was the dance double for Natalie Portman in the movie "Black Swan." Radetsky played the role of Charlie in the movie "Centerstage." Steven Loch, an LBT Alumni who now dances with Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, will also perform in "The Nutcracker."
Kathleen Uchal, a freshman at Marcus, is dancing the role of Clara. Adam Phillips from Denton is dancing the role of Fritz. Amanda Evans, a junior at Marcus, is dancing with Loch as the Snow Queen and King. Madison McKay will be dancing as Dew Drop in Waltz of the Flowers, partnered by Loch.
Rehearsals for the performance began Oct. 1.
Lannin choreographed the ballet, and the Lewisville Lake Symphony will provide live orchestral music, led by Maestro Adron Ming.
The ballet is performed in two acts, with an opening scene set during a Victorian era party hosted by the well to do Mayor Silberhaus and his family. Guests arrive bearing gifts while children dance and play among the party festivities. The mayor's young daughter, Clara, is soon enchanted by her mysterious Godfather, Drosselmeyer, played by Allan Kinzie, who gives her a nutcracker. The gift soon triggers a flight into a dream world as scene two introduces the audience to the Nutcracker Prince. A battle ensues as the evil Mouse King and his minion mice engage the Nutcracker Prince and his band of toy soldiers. Clara and her new found prince escape harm and travel through a magical snow laden landscape of dancing fairies on their way to the Land of Sweets, as Act I comes to a close.
Act II's opening scene reveals Guardian Angels keeping watch over delicate tiny angels and cherubs, as they glide across the stage in anticipation of the arrival of Clara and her prince. Scene two of the second act includes a dance by the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier, who dazzle Clara with their performance. The Land of Sweets is filled with dance and delight as Clara is treated to performances by dancers from all around the globe. The Sugarplum Fairy helps Clara find her way home, as the dancers send her off. The story closes as the Nutcracker Prince delivers Clara to the safety of her own bed and gives her a final salute, a promise that he will be ever watchful.
The music for "The Nutcracker" was composed in 1891 by Pyotr Illych Tchaikovsky. The first performance of the ballet, based on Alexandre Dumas' adaptation of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," by E.T.A. Hoffmann, was choreographed by Marius Petipa. It first appeared for Russian audiences in December 1892 in St. Petersburg and was a complete failure.
Since then, world renowned choreographer George Balanchine created a new production of "The Nutcracker" in 1954. It has now become a Christmas tradition.
For information call 972-317-7987 or email marketing@lakecitiesballet.org.
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