San Diego’s Beloved Nutcracker Ballet – Cannons Roar, Fairies Fly and Snow Falls at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Dec 17 & 18
A cherished family tradition, the West Coast Ballet Theatre’s enchanting production of The Nutcracker captures the magic, excitement and innocence of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet as seen through the eyes of a child. The Nutcracker is produced in association with San Elijo Dance & Music Academy and 4S Dance Academy.
San Diego, CA, November 30, 2011 --(PR.com)-- December brings the 10th annual West Coast Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker. A cherished family tradition, the West Coast Ballet Theatre’s enchanting production of The Nutcracker captures the magic, excitement and innocence of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet as seen through the eyes of a child. Tickets from $18.50-$39. Call the box office at 1-800-988-4253 West Coast Ballet Theatre (the semi-professional arm of the San Elijo Dance and Music Academy and 4S Ballet), produces a unique Nutcracker experience in grand scale. Where traditional Nutcrackers are performed by 15-20 adult ballet dancers (even the child roles), this Nutcracker is performed by a cast of over 200 performers of all ages. It includes lavish costumes, stunning pyrotechnics, flying fairies and snow appearing from thin air. The music of Tchaikovsky is brought to life by the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra. The combined effect is an entertaining event that will keep all ages memorized and enchanted.
In its 10th year of production by the San Elijo Dance and Music Academy, The Nutcracker, now produced by SEDMA’s semi-professional arm, the West Coast Ballet Theatre, is the perfect way to nurture an appreciation for the performing arts in young family members.
Background of The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker came to life in 1816 as a work of German playwright E.T.A. Hoffman. Entitled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, it told the tale of an unhappy girl named Marie whose only love was a nutcracker doll. In 1845, famed French novelist Alexandre Dumas adapted the play to make it more suitable for children; in 1891, his cheerier version became the basis of a Russian ballet scored by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Marius Pepita and Lev Ivanov. The original ballet opened in Saint Petersburg, Russia on December 17, 1892. The ballet tells the tale of a girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker doll for Christmas from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer. That night, she falls asleep and dreams she is under attack by an army of mice led by the Mouse King, who wishes to take her away to his kingdom. Clara is rescued by one of the soldiers of the Nutcracker; when she kisses him, he becomes a prince. He whisks her through the Enchanted Forest, a land of sugarplum fairies and waltzing flowers and dancing snowflakes. In the morning, Clara awakens with her nutcracker doll and memories of her Christmas adventure.
Tchaikovsky’s ballet has since become a sophisticated holiday classic performed by the finest professional dance companies worldwide, with the roles of Clara and other children danced by adults. However, in this contemporary and family-friendly production by the West Coast Ballet Theatre, youth dance the children’s roles and adult professional dancers perform in the adult roles. The result is an authentic and enchanting performance unlike any other Nutcracker in Southern California.
Cast
This year, the role of Dream Clara is performed by Katie Critchlow, who appears as a courtesy of Ballet West of Salt Lake City, Utah; and the role of Dream Nutcracker Prince is performed by Rex Tilton, a Demi-Soloists, of the Ballet West. The role of Soldier Doll and Russian is performed by Nathan Trasoras from season six of FOX’s television hit "So You Think You Can Dance." Music for the ballet is performed live by the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra. For more than 50 years, this non-profit organization has provided gifted young musicians with an opportunity to study and perform the world’s greatest orchestral works under the guidance of experienced teachers and conductors. Practices are held at Palomar College in San Marcos, and symphony orchestra students embark on a performance tour every two years; this year, the students embarked on a 17-day tour of Australia and New Zealand. Civic Youth Orchestra ensembles have been recognized as among the most outstanding youth orchestras in California and nationwide.
West Coast Ballet Theatre Directors | Lauri-Michelle and Benjamin Houk
Together, Lauri-Michelle and Benjamin have been featured as guest artists in many performances, and have been master teachers at ballet and modern dance companies, schools and universities. In 2000, they founded San Elijo Dance & Music Academy, which has become the preeminent arts academy in San Diego’s North County. Many of the couple’s former students have gone on to attend the most prestigious schools and companies including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey, Twyla Tharp and Julliard.
###
In its 10th year of production by the San Elijo Dance and Music Academy, The Nutcracker, now produced by SEDMA’s semi-professional arm, the West Coast Ballet Theatre, is the perfect way to nurture an appreciation for the performing arts in young family members.
Background of The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker came to life in 1816 as a work of German playwright E.T.A. Hoffman. Entitled The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, it told the tale of an unhappy girl named Marie whose only love was a nutcracker doll. In 1845, famed French novelist Alexandre Dumas adapted the play to make it more suitable for children; in 1891, his cheerier version became the basis of a Russian ballet scored by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographed by Marius Pepita and Lev Ivanov. The original ballet opened in Saint Petersburg, Russia on December 17, 1892. The ballet tells the tale of a girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker doll for Christmas from her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer. That night, she falls asleep and dreams she is under attack by an army of mice led by the Mouse King, who wishes to take her away to his kingdom. Clara is rescued by one of the soldiers of the Nutcracker; when she kisses him, he becomes a prince. He whisks her through the Enchanted Forest, a land of sugarplum fairies and waltzing flowers and dancing snowflakes. In the morning, Clara awakens with her nutcracker doll and memories of her Christmas adventure.
Tchaikovsky’s ballet has since become a sophisticated holiday classic performed by the finest professional dance companies worldwide, with the roles of Clara and other children danced by adults. However, in this contemporary and family-friendly production by the West Coast Ballet Theatre, youth dance the children’s roles and adult professional dancers perform in the adult roles. The result is an authentic and enchanting performance unlike any other Nutcracker in Southern California.
Cast
This year, the role of Dream Clara is performed by Katie Critchlow, who appears as a courtesy of Ballet West of Salt Lake City, Utah; and the role of Dream Nutcracker Prince is performed by Rex Tilton, a Demi-Soloists, of the Ballet West. The role of Soldier Doll and Russian is performed by Nathan Trasoras from season six of FOX’s television hit "So You Think You Can Dance." Music for the ballet is performed live by the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra. For more than 50 years, this non-profit organization has provided gifted young musicians with an opportunity to study and perform the world’s greatest orchestral works under the guidance of experienced teachers and conductors. Practices are held at Palomar College in San Marcos, and symphony orchestra students embark on a performance tour every two years; this year, the students embarked on a 17-day tour of Australia and New Zealand. Civic Youth Orchestra ensembles have been recognized as among the most outstanding youth orchestras in California and nationwide.
West Coast Ballet Theatre Directors | Lauri-Michelle and Benjamin Houk
Together, Lauri-Michelle and Benjamin have been featured as guest artists in many performances, and have been master teachers at ballet and modern dance companies, schools and universities. In 2000, they founded San Elijo Dance & Music Academy, which has become the preeminent arts academy in San Diego’s North County. Many of the couple’s former students have gone on to attend the most prestigious schools and companies including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Joffrey, Twyla Tharp and Julliard.
###
Contact
San Elijo Dance and Music Academy
Dawn Saunders or Ben Houk
760-410-1999
www.SanEljioDanceandMusicAcademy.com
Dawn Saunders or Ben Houk
760-410-1999
www.SanEljioDanceandMusicAcademy.com
Contact
Categories