The Nutcracker Ballet
Sundance Ballet Company Presents The Nutcracker
The Traditional Ballet Classic
The Sundance Ballet Company continues the beloved holiday tradition with its fifth annual production of The Nutcracker, on Friday, December 22nd at 7pm and Saturday, December 23 at 2pm and 7pm at HSU’s Van Duzer Theater in Arcata.
Celebrate the holidays with this ballet favorite. Adventure awaits as Clara and her Nutcracker battle the Rat King and embark on a journey through the Land of Sweets with the Sugar Plum Fairy. Led by Artistic Director Carrie Badeaux and the talented dancers of the Sundance Ballet Company, this joyous classic will leave you with cherished memories for years to come.
Carrie Badeaux has once again brought this production to life with traditional storytelling choreography, theatrical sets, and dazzling costumes. Dancer, Clare Endert, exclaims, “I love Nutcracker! It wouldn't be the holidays without Nutcracker. Even with all of the rehearsals and costume fittings, it's worth the dedication because it's so festive and spirited.”
Sundance Ballet Company’s 2017 production of The Nutcracker features Badeaux's own choreography with nearly 100 Dance Scene Studio students. The dancers hail from across Humboldt County and will dance in this year’s production to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score.
The Pas de Deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier is always a highly-anticipated delight. Additional new pas de deux’s are seen this year in Waltz of the Flowers with Mint couple Tonya Perry and Christian Testanier, Rose couple Katie Kitchen and Stuart Cataldo, and Dew Drop couple Sequoya Cross and Chris Brant, all who bring talented partnering elements to the stage. One dance with exceptional partnering feats this year is Russian Trepak danced by Brooke Grammer and Marciano Valdez where they endlessly perform partner lifts and stunts to the fast and upbeat orchestration.
Local costume designer Elisabeth Holloway brings her talents to the stage with one of a kind Victorian Party dresses and a special transformation dress she designed and crafted. Badeaux reveals that, “We work hard to make sure every aspect of the show has that magical touch, be it costumes, choreography, sets, acting, and props. All together it creates the Nutcracker world that we dance in.” This is evident in the Growing Tree backdrop that extends to scale 25 feet into the air and stretches over 40 feet wide that local artist Phyllis Barba took on creating. massive project this year beginning with sewing the actual tree canvas shape and then painting the whole backdrop to bring its ample stature to life. The outcome shows what fine artisans our community encompasses and how handcrafted art has elevated this stage production.
Hope Magee dances the coveted role of Clara once again, the young girl whose wintery dream brings about much of the fantasy that creates the beloved Nutcracker. Magee brings her ballet prowess and athletic abilities to the stage with her impressive flexibility and multiple pirouette capabilities all gracefully danced on pointe through each of the Nutcracker kingdoms.
The Nutcracker ballet is truly a holiday classic that is enjoyed by families year after year. Be part of the magic and experience this traditional dancing adventure this year.
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