Greater Niagara Ballet Company presents      'The Nutcracker'

35th annual production stars local dancers, actors, and parents

"The Nutcracker"

A long-standing tradition in Niagara Falls continues this holiday season. The Greater Niagara Ballet Company presents its 35th annual production of "The Nutcracker."

The show is on stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center, 4455 Porter Road.

A special on-school-time performance will take place Friday morning for area elementary school students.

"The Nutcracker" is sponsored in part by KeyBank.

>>Click here for the photo gallery

Lead Cast

Act I: Sophia Curry, 12, of Lewiston, and Tatum McLean, 12, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, will split time as Clara. Lewiston's Paul Thomas reprises his role as Uncle Drosselmier.

Following the party scene, guest artists Lily McEvenue and Irek Muchalski star as the Snow Queen and Cavalier, respectively.

Act II: Grace Gruarin (Youngstown) and Aniko Nagy (Lewiston) will take turns as the Dew Drop Fairy. They'll also share duties as Lead Candy Cane. Sara Humphrey (Tonawanda) and Sarah Waechter (Lewiston) will each have a turn as Mother Ginger. Twins Mariette and Serena Feltrin, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, will perform several roles, including Lead Chinese, Lead Spanish and Lead Arabian.

McEvenue and Muchalski will return to perform as the Sugarplum Fairy and the Sugarplum Prince.

The Story

"The Nutcracker" begins in the Silberhaus family living room, where family and friends have gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve. Clara, enchanted by the festivities, awaits the arrival of her mysterious Uncle Drosselmier, who brings magical presents for the party. In particular, he presents his niece with a very special Christmas gift: a nutcracker doll.

Clara finds it hard to sleep, so she sneaks into the living room to steal a glimpse of her new doll. As the clock strikes midnight, she awakens to see the Christmas tree magically growing, and her nutcracker coming to life to battle with the evil Mouse King.

After the great battle, the nutcracker is transformed into a handsome prince who travels with Clara through the "Land of Snow" to the "Kingdom of Sweets."

Once there, the Sugarplum Fairy asks Clara to recount her adventures. As Clara is regaled for her bravery, the prince summons the "Sweets" and "Spices" from around the world to dance in her honor.

"The Nutcracker" is based on a tale by Ernest Hoffman and choreographed by Ivanov to the music of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It was first performed before the czar of Russia in St. Petersburg in 1892. It was brought to the U.S. in 1940 where, in its various interpretations, it has evolved into a beloved holiday classic.

A family favorite, the GNBC's version showcases dancers, character performers and parents under the direction of artistic director Beverley Feder, FISTD.

"The Nutcracker" 

>>Click here for the photo gallery

Ticket Information

Tickets to "The Nutcracker" are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. A family pack (two adults, two students) costs $40. Pre-sale tickets are available at various locations (including all Niagara Falls Tim Hortons locations; D'Amico Music on Pine Avenue; the Orange Cat Coffee Co. and The Village Bake Shoppe in Lewiston; Camp Bow Wow in Tonawanda; and Half Moon Bay Restaurant in North Tonawanda). Pending availability, tickets also will be available at the door prior to each performance.

About the Greater Niagara Ballet Company

The GNBC is a not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) corporation dedicated to providing local dancers the opportunity to develop their talents in a professional theatrical setting; work with professional dancers from all parts of the world; build an understanding and appreciation of the ballet arts through ongoing educational workshops and performances; and participate in dance projects that establish the Niagara region as a high-quality ballet center.

GNBC productions are open to all ballet students by audition.

The company is online at www.niagaraballet.org.

>>Click here for the photo gallery


GNBC, United Way 'Sugarplum Fairy Breakfast' a hit

 

Thanks to the efforts of more than two-dozen volunteers, the "Sugarplum Fairy Breakfast" was a memorable event for the 230 in attendance at the Niagara County Community College Culinary Center in downtown Niagara Falls. Children danced with Greater Niagara Ballet Company ballerinas, were treated to "The Nutcracker" story (with costumed characters), and enjoyed breakfast with their family and friends.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the United Way of Greater Niagara and the GNBC.  

 

>>Click here for the photo gallery


Local dancers prepare for 'Sugarplum Fairy Breakfast,' 'Nutcracker'

Pictured, from left, are Anna Dugan, 9, of Grand Island; seamstress Cathi Sitzman; Currie; McLean; Elaina Jowdy, 11, of Lewiston; and seamstress Angela Currie.

Pictured, from left,are Anna Dugan, 9, of Grand Island; seamstress Cathi Sitzman; Currie; McLean;Elaina Jowdy, 11, of Lewiston; and seamstress Angela Currie.

The Greater Niagara Ballet Co. recently cast lead roles for "The Nutcracker," its annual holiday production. Sophia Currie, 12, of Lewiston, and Tatum McLean, 12, of Niagara Falls, Ontario (center) will split time as Clara when the KeyBank-sponsored show commences Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center.

First, Currie, McLean and the rest of the GNBC's ballet corps will participate in the second "Sugarplum Fairy Breakfast." The event, a fundraiser for both the company and the United Way of Greater Niagara, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10, at the new Niagara Falls Culinary Institute on Old Falls Street. It begins at 10 a.m.

Tickets for the breakfast are $15 per child, $20 per adult, or $45 for two children and one adult. All children in attendance will receive a Barbie doll, breakfast, the opportunity to dance with GNBC ballerinas, and a chance to enter to win a special Holiday Barbie doll.

For more information, or for breakfast tickets, call 716-216-4582 or 716-745-3837. Tickets for "The Nutcracker" will be available at the "Sugarplum Fairy Breakfast."

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About the Greater Niagara Ballet Company

The GNBC is a not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) corporation dedicated to providing local dancers the opportunity to develop their talents in a professional theatrical setting; work with professional dancers from all parts of the world; build an understanding and appreciation of the ballet arts through ongoing educational workshops and performances; and participate in dance projects that establish the Niagara region as a high-quality ballet center.

GNBC productions are open to all ballet students by audition.


Ultimate 2011 'Nutcracker' photo galleries!

Click above to see more than 100 total "Nutcracker" photos! (shots by by Kevin and Dawn Cobello/K&D Action Photo)

>>Hooked: Writer returns to 'The Nutcracker'

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