Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Performance dances through ‘Wonderland’

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By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

Make way for Alice. The childhood classic "Alice in Wonderland" dances into Ketchum this week staring the children of the Sun Valley Ballet School.

The Sun Valley Ballet School presents "Alice in Wonderland" this week.

The ballerinas dance their way through Wonderland beginning today and Thursday with three free shows for Blaine County preschool and elementary students. Also, for the first time, the students’ performance will be open to the public as the school’s spring show Friday, April 16, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 17, at 3 p.m. at Ketchum’s nexStage Theatre.

The ballet school presents the children’s performance annually to expose youngsters to ballet. This year’s production of "Alice in Wonderland," choreographed by Artistic Director Sherry Booth, incorporates classical music and elaborate costumes for a special production geared toward kids. The school adapted the ballet for children, which is performed by an exclusively young cast. The unique youth performance simultaneously benefits the dancers and audience alike.

This year, Elizabeth Pfordte, a junior at Wood River High School, stars as Alice. Pfordte explores Wonderland dancing with fifth-grader Tanner Dredge debuting as the White Rabbit. Kelly Crabtree, also a junior, joins the cast as the Queen of Hearts. The principle dancers, along with the entire young cast will say good-bye to the school’s prima ballerina Nadine Hirner, a senior, staring as the Dream Fairy in her final performance.

Hirner has performed numerous ballets, dancing with the school since she was 4 years old. Despite her numerous performances, Hirner explained the annual show for children exudes a special memorable quality.

Hirner recalled that while performing for the children, it is "fun knowing you are an idol, they are amazed and stunned…and look up to you and ask for autographs. It means a lot." The performance symbiotically benefits the young audience and dancers.

The special nature of the performance will be a fitting farewell for Hirner. Speaking to her final performance, Hirner reflected the shows will be "hard and feel weird because it (ballet) has been a passion for 14 years, but I am excited to do something new with my life."

After spending the majority of her life dancing, Hirner, 17, is embracing a new direction--college. She plans to study business as a student at Albertson College, and will leave dancing in the valley. Chronic back injuries are preventing Hirner from further study of ballet.

Reserved seats are $25 and available by calling 726-2985. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and are for sale at Chapter One Books in Ketchum or at the nexStage Theatre Wed. through Fri. from 4 to 6 p.m.

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