The Old Forge Ballet Company will present its annual production of The Nutcracker at the Strand Theatre on Saturday, December 7, and Artistic Director Sue Ann Lorenz-Wallace, has announced this year’s cast which includes company members who have performed for the past 20 years along with some new faces.
Kerissa Dunn, Alison Russell, Renee Smith, and Ashley and Katie Ludwig. Photo by Gina Greco
The complete cast of 35 includes performers representing the communities of Eagle Bay, Inlet, Old Forge, Thendara, Woodgate, Boonville and Forestport.
Laurie Waranis, a teacher at the ballet company, will return to her role as Frau Stahlbaum with Clint Otto returning as Herr Stahlbaum.
Portraying their daughter Clara in the matinee performance is Kerissa Dunn, with Alison Russell in the role for the evening performance.
After a two-year hiatus, Atlas Croniser is returning for the role of their son Fritz.
Jeff Dickinson will again be the comical butler and Karen Russell the parlour maid.
The Grandfather is Donald Olney and Betty Rannels will be the Grandmother.
Doug Masters will portray magical Uncle Drosselmeyer.
The Act 1 party guests include: Bella Beck, David Beck, Sarah Beck, Darby Bick, Katie Case, Hailey Craig, Kirsten Croniser, Dawson Dunn, Tory Dunn, Jennifer Dunn, Kerissa Dunn, Alivia Hopsicker, Chrissy Rood Indivero, Mary Jane Lasher, Ashley Ludwig, Katie Ludwig, Terra Montanye, Alayna Nerschook, Conrad O’Brien, Christian Olsen, Nicholas Olsen, Leigha Pashley, Savannah Pashley, Eileen Ponsot, Alison Russell, Caitlin Russell, Renee Smith.
Dancing as the mechanical dolls in Act 1 are Eileen Ponsot, Alivia Hopsicker and Kirsten Croniser and Atlas Croniser as the Toy Soldier.
Dancers highlighted in additional roles in Act 1 are Dawson Dunn as the Nutcracker and Nicholas Olsen as the Mouse King in the Battle and as Snowflakes in the Snow scene are Company dancers, Mary Jane Lasher, Jennifer Dunn, Kerissa Dunn, David Beck, Sarah Beck, Ashley Ludwig, Katie Ludwig, Caitlin Russell, Alison Russell, Karen Russell, Chrissy Rood Indivero, Katie Case with Nicholas Olsen and Renee Smith as the Snow Prince and Princess.
Act 2 is cast by Company dancers and Act 1 children in the traditional divertissement of character dances. Nicholas Olsen and Renee Smith will perform in Spanish dance. Arabian dancers will include Katie Ludwig, David Beck Chrissy Rood Indivero and Caitlin Russell with Alison Russell, Kerissa Dunn, Katie Case and Ashley Ludwig as the Peacocks.
Chinese Dance performers will be Jennifer Dunn, Chrissy Rood Indivero, and Mary Jane Lasher. The Russian dance will be performed by Sarah Beck, David Beck and Nicholas Olsen with Atlas Croniser, Ashley Ludwig and Christian Olsen. Candy Canes will feature Alison Russell, Kerissa Dunn, Dawson Dunn, Kirsten Croniser, Atlas Croniser, Alivia Hopsicker, Eileen Ponsot, Darby Bick, Terra Montanye, Alayna Nerschook and Christian Olsen.
This year’s very popular Mother Ginger is portrayed again by Betty Rannels and her Bon Bons include: Darby Bick, Terra Montanye, Lorelei Miller, Alayna Nerschook, Savannah Pashley, Leigha Pashley, Kirsten Croniser, Alivia Hopsicker and Eileen Ponsot.
Flowerdancers will be Laurie Waranis, Clint Otto, Mary Jane Lasher, Doug Masters, Caitlin Russell, Nicholas Olsen, Jennifer Dunn and Tory Dunn with Garland girls Katie Ludwig, Ashley Ludwig, Kerissa Dunn, Alison Russell and Renee Smith. The Grand Pas de Deux by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier will be danced by Sarah Beck and David Beck.
The performances will be on Saturday, December 7 at 2 p.m. for a narrated matinee and 7 p.m. evening performance at The Strand Theatre in Old Forge.
Pre-sale tickets are available at Naked Moose, Mountain Greenery, and the TOW Bar for $10 for adults/seniors and teens. Children under 12 are admitted free of charge. Tickets at the door will be $15.
Call or email to order by mail before November 30 at (315) 369-8721 or 369-6273, or oldforgeballet@roadrunner.com or linda_ladue@hotmail.com.
