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Event
Nutcracker Ballet
Blue Heron Dance will transport one and all into the magical world of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet at Vashon High School Theater just in time for the holiday season. Performed by countless dancers for more than a century, the beloved story in dance, revolves around Clara, a young girl whose imagination takes flight during her Christmas Eve dreamscape.
Showcasing Island dance talents, 60 students ages 8 to 18, Nutcracker represents a dancer's rite of passage. The beloved annual production is reinvented every year, with new choreography, costumes pieces, set design and new dancers rising through the ranks. But Tchaikovsky's magnificent score and tale remain timeless.
Artistic Director Christine Juarez says, "I'm refreshing this year's production with new choreography, integrating more formal movement in short vignettes of children preparing for the Party Scene. Movement will be less pedestrian, with more choreographed group and solo movement."
Dancing dolls emerge from glittering life-size packages and the toy Nutcracker transforms into a magical Prince.
"With growing number of boys in both sports dance and boys' ballet and even more in younger classes, we are creating another key component for the program--partnering. It's very exciting."
Cornish College of the Arts danseur Sam Opsell, will again join the Company as the Cavalier in a paus de duex with Sugar Plum Fairy Camille Kappelman. Also the Snow Queen, Kappelman will partner with Opsell as Snow King and Ballet 4, 5-6 in the all newly choreographed winter white wonderland of the Snow scene.
Veronica Jannetty will dance the bewitching Arabian Princess role. Meg Sayre, as Waltz Queen, will lead the famous Dance of the Flowers and Mara Drape brings drama as the Mouse Queen who sword fights the Nutcracker.
Juarez adds that each dance will be associated with a 'sweet' and will be introduced by a troupe of le petit dancing pastry chefs comprised of Ballet 2 students. They will be accompanied by snippets of other works composed by Tchaikovsky. Ballet 2 dancers will also perform with Mother Ginger. Adult characters also get into the act and this year will offer some surprise appearances.
The production has grown over the years, along with the program. Dance parents primarily fill vital back stage and front of house roles, although other community members, such as costumer Kate Guinee and David and Susan Reed (who do not have students enrolled in the program) have contributed mightily through the years.
A popular addition in recent years, the interactive, narrated, abbreviated version of Nutcracker will be offered again for the pre school audience. The lobby (land of sweets) will offer Nutcrackers and other delightful gifts to benefit VAA's dance program. Saturday night's performance will feature a live pre-show musical performance.
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LocationVashon High School Theater (View)
20120 Vashon Hwy SW
Vashon Island, WA 98070
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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