Nutcracker
Friday, Saturday, Dec. 5, 6, 7 pm
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2 pm
Tickets: $10/$13
VHS Theater
Nutcracker Ballet delights all ages
The timeless tale of the Nutcracker Ballet (based on the original story “The Nutcracker and the King of Mice) has evolved into a beloved tradition the world over. Performed time and again by generations of hopeful dancers, Blue Heron Dance Company will present their version of the Nutcracker with Tchaikovsky’s uplifting, famous music the first weekend of December with dancers ages 6 to 18. The largest Blue Heron Dance Nutcracker cast to date, a cast of more than 50 will bring the holiday fantasy to life on VHS stage with new highlights for audiences to anticipate. Blue Heron Dance Company consists of a group of dancers who take on significant additional time commitment toward the stage production.
A story as well-known as many fairy tales, the Christmas Eve party at the Stahlbaum house sets the stage for a magical evening. At the stroke of midnight magic begins to happen. Toys come to life and the battle between Nutcracker and Mouse King ensues. Clara’s dream journey from The Land of Snow to The Land of Sweets and ultimately back to reality with her beloved Nutcracker captures the hearts and imaginations of children and adults alike year after year.
Christine Juarez, Artistic Director for Vashon Allied Arts’ Blue Heron Dance, has re-choreographed several of the dances, including the Arabian Dance. (Shannon Hennessey performs as Arabian Queen) and the Spanish Dance (Clarissa Boyajian dances as the Spanish Queen). She also choreographed a fantasy underwater scene, where sea creatures (Ballet 4 students) star in Clara’s (played by Mara Drape) dream sequence. In addition, costumes are continually being reworked thanks to tireless costume designer, Kate Guinee. Volunteer parent team, Alison and Dan Bockus, parents of dancing twin daughters Maisy and Madison, have reconstructed Clara’s bed into a multi-functional set piece that transforms from bed to sailboat.
Also new this year, Juarez has enlisted assistance of a professional magician from Seattle’s Market Magic Shop. As luck would have it, the shop’s resident magician has played the part of Drosselmeyer, the childrens’ fun-loving godfather. “He has offered some private lessons to our Drosselmeyer, Rob Misel, so we will have some surprises in the Party Scene,” says Juarez, who becomes quite animated anytime the subject of Nutcracker surfaces. “For me it’s a holiday tradition. I’ve been participating in Nutcracker since I was 15; I never tire of it.”
Youngest of dancers, from Modern I, will dance with Mother Ginger (Haley Mosteller) and as mice in the battle scene. The Mouse Queen will be danced by Sami Ressler. “We have a lot of new dancers-younger ones, one of the things I love about Nutcracker is that young dancers aspire to become certain characters in the ballet,” says Juarez with unbridled enthusiasm.
Modern 2-3 dancers will dance the Candy Cane dance, and introduce the second act into The Land of Sweets. This year’s Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Chelsea Clark. Amorita Juarez will dance as the Waltz Queen in Waltz of the Flowers.
Ballet 2-3 dancers will be featured in the Party Scene (Noah Edmonds will play Fritz) and dance as snow angels as a preamble to The Land of Snow. Molly Crosby is the Snow Queen.
The company’s most advanced dancers will be featured in all the individual dances, integrated with some of the younger dancers, during the second act. “These dances are very meaningful to me because they celebrate our outgoing seniors, while giving opportunity to a wonderful group of dancers who will be filling their shoes in coming years.”
Returning favorite characters include David Reed, as the grandfather, with his comic relief. “All the girls love him,” says Juarez. VHS junior, Tucker Lazare will play the Nutcracker. Stan Voynick will act as producer, Jeffrey Zheutlin will paint the backdrop and Beth Tuttle will be the prop-master for the Ballet.
