The Old Forge Ballet Company will present two performances of the Nutcracker at the Strand Theatre in Old Forge on Saturday, November 19.
Rehearsing for the Nutcracker, in foreground at left, is Lauris Waranis. Behind her from left is Lauren Beckingham, Betty Rannels, Melissa Murphy, Caitlin Russell, and Sarah Beck. Photo by Carol Hansen
A matinee with narration will take place at 2 p.m, and the evening performance will begin at 7 p.m. A reception at the Forge Motel Lobby will follow the final showing and all are welcome to attend.
The Nutcracker, which has become a local holiday tradition, will feature principal guest artists Jennifer Grapes and Darren McIntyre dancing the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
This will mark the fourth time the international pair will join 40 company dancers and community performers from Eagle Bay, Inlet, Indian Lake, Old Forge, Thendara, Woodgate, for Tchaikovsky’s two act ballet Casse-Noisette (Nutcracker) at The Strand.
Sue Ann Lorenz-Wallace, Artistic Director of the Ballet Company, has announced this year’s cast.
Douglas Masters is cast as the father Herr Stahlbaum in Act 1 dancing with Company dancer Laurie Waranis, as she returns to her role as the mother, Frau Stahlbaum.
The parts of Clara and Fritz, the Stalbaum’s children, will be danced by Sarah Beck and Dawson Dunn as her mischievous brother. Betty Stem will play the family Matriarch and Miriam Kashiwa will return to her role of Baroness.
Norman Rannels accompanied by David Beck dancing the part of his nephew, Christian, will once again portray Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara’s mysterious magical uncle.
Luann Bowen will be the ballet mistress Madame Cecchetti, and David Beck and Lauren Beckingham will appear as the Act One mechanical dolls.
During the performance, Nina Dickinson will greet the party guests as the parlor maid and her husband, Jeff Dickinson, will act as the butler.
The party guests will include: Charlotte Clark, Chloe Clark, Chelsea Clark, Joseph Clark, Stephanie Clark, Atlas Croniser, Kirsten Croniser, Kerissa Dunn, Leah Easton, Michael Farmer, Addison Hitchcock, Courtney Hitchcock, Heidi Hitchock;
Alivia Hopsicker, Lauren Holt, Mary Jane Lasher, Jon Martin, Jillian Mayer, Susan Mayer, Margaret Queen, Betty Rannels, Joy Rannels, Nancy Jo Reed, Karen Russell, Alison Russell, and Caitlin Russell.
Dancers highlighted in additional roles in Act 1 are David Beck as the Mouse King, and Jeffery Dickinson as the Nutcracker who will go to battle with children from the School of the Old Forge Ballet Company who will perform as mice and soldiers.
Following the defeat of the Mouse King, the Nutcracker is transformed into a Prince who escorts Clara to the Land of Snow, the enchanted forest wonderland where they are welcomed by the Snowflakes, performed by company dancers Luann Bowen, Lauren Holt, Mary Jane Lasher, Melissa Murphy, Margaret Queen, Lauren Beckingham and Caitlin Russell.
In Act 2, the Prince takes Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by Angels and the Sugar Plum Fairy with her Cavalier who performs and recounts the battle with the mice.
Tickets for this performance of the Nutcracker are available at The Naked Moose and Tony Harper’s Pizza and Clam Shack on Main Street, Old Forge.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and teens. Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free of charge.
For more information or to order tickets, call (315) 369-8721.
