Into the Kingdom
of Sweets we dance
By ADAM TANOUS
Express Arts Editor
Oh, to be lost in fantasy. For children it
is as natural as drawing breath. Adults seem to have a tougher time of it, even
seem a bit sheepish about flights of fantasy. But maybe that’s why a holiday
classic like "The Nutcracker" has been so warmly embraced by audiences young and
old for more than 110 years: It gives us an excuse to go where we might not
otherwise go.
Nadia
Hirner and Todd Fox Photo by Michelle Schwartz
The Sun Valley Ballet School will present
an original production of the ballet based on the E. T. A. Hoffman book, "The
Nutcracker and The Mouse King," Friday through Sunday, Dec. 5-7, at the nexStage
Theatre in Ketchum. There will be a Gala Party at 6:15 p.m. prior to the Friday
evening performance. Curtain time is 7 p.m. There will be matinee shows 1 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday. A Saturday evening performance will be offered at 7 p.m.
Starring as the Snow King and the Sugar
Plum Cavalier is professional principal dancer Todd Fox. Nadine Hirner, a dancer
from the school’s student corps, will dance the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Allison Sher and Kelsey Brennan share the role of Clara. Other principal dancers
include Liz Pforde, Hailey Tucker, Kayla Harrison, Estelle Rudolph, Brittany
Jones, Kelley Crabtree, Eddie Ramirez and Mareena Moss.
Fox is a dancer with the Los Angeles
Classical Ballet, Ballet Metropolitano de Caracas, Cleveland San Jose Ballet,
Cleveland Ballet and the Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley.
"The Nutcracker" is the story of Clara and
her magical nutcracker toy that is transformed into a prince. The two journey
into a fantastical battle with the Mouse King. After defeating him, the pair
travels to the Kingdom of the Sweets, where they witness the beauty of the Sugar
Plum Fairy and her subjects.
Tchaikovsky composed the original music of
"The Nutcracker" in 1891, and the first production of the ballet was a year
later at the home of the Kirov Ballet in Russia.
The Sun Valley Ballet School’s artistic
director, Sherry Booth, has choreographed the production.
General admission tickets are available
from Chapter One Bookstore or at the school’s studio in Ketchum. Tickets can
also be purchased at the nexStage Theatre from 3 to 6 p.m. Gala Evening or
reserved seating can be arranged by calling 726-2985.