BREMERTON — “The Nutcracker” has been staged a bazillion times since it premiered on Dec. 18, 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia (on a double-bill with Tchaikovsky’s opera “Iolanta”).
“I think it’s a great tradition, a great way to start off the holidays,” said Irene Miller, owner and director of Irene’s School of Dance, a non-profit organization dedicated to the cultural enrichment of the community through the dance arts.
“The music is pure delightful … I love ‘The Nutcracker.’ It sets the mood for the holidays.”
Miller’s Dance Arts Theatre of Silverdale presents its 29th annual production of the “Nutcracker Ballet” at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 and 2 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center. Reserved section seats are $20, general admission is $15, and tickets for senior citizens, students and children 18 and younger are $10. Tickets are available at BrownPaperTickets.com, CJ’s Evergreen General Store in Bremerton, the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce, and Irene’s School of Dance in Silverdale. Tickets will also be available at the door. Call 360-692-4395.
The production features two former principal dancers with the Pacific Northwest Ballet: Mara Vinson as Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy, and Le Yin as Snow King and Cavalier.
Dancers in the company range in age from 10 to 20. Approximately 120 dancers and extras are in the production.
The ballet is based on the children’s story of “Nutcracker and the King of Mice” written in 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffman. The “Nutcracker” music is by Peter Tchaikovsky. Choreography is after Marius Petipa and restaged by Miller.
Here’s the synopsis: Herr Silberhaus and his wife are having a Christmas Eve party for their children, Clara and Franz, and their relatives and friends.
Clara’s godfather, Councilor Drosselmeyer, brings Clara a Nutcracker, which Franz breaks. Later that night, Clara returns to the living room to check on her Nutcracker, only to find that her Nutcracker has come to life and is leading the toy soldiers in a battle with the mice. Clara saves the Nutcracker from the sword of the Mouse King. The Nutcracker is transformed into a prince who takes Clara on a journey through the Snow Forest to the Kingdom of Sweets.
Who wouldn’t be enchanted?
Here are the lead dancers and characters.
Clara: Ella Renon, seventh-grader at Mountain View Middle School.
Franz: Katie McDonald, seventh-grader at Ridgetop Middle School.
Dr. Drosselmeyer: Martin Newhard.
Harlequin Doll: Kaiden Black, freshman at Central Kitsap High School.
Ballerina Doll: Kierra Parrish, eighth-grader at Fairview Middle School.
Bear Doll: Etta Schnyder, sophomore at North Kitsap High School.
Snow Princess: Ella Hazzard, freshman at Olympic College.
Lead Angels: Anna Herring, senior at Central Kitsap High School/Olympic College Running Start; and Madison Thompson, sophomore at Klahowya Secondary School.
Ribbon Candy: Emilie Scott, freshman at Klahowya Secondary School.
Arabian Princess: Rozelle Rubio, junior at Central Kitsap High School.
Dew Drops in the Waltz of Flowers: Christina Calden, sophomore at Central Kitsap High School; and MacKenzie Shorter, sophomore at Central Kitsap High School.
Dance Arts Theatre “Nutcracker” alums include Olivia Nelsen, now a dancer with Ballet Magnifcat! in Mississippi. Miller said several of her dancers are in their fourth or fifth year in the production, and started out as angels or mice and grew into more central roles. (Spoiler alert: Some of the adults in the opening family scene are parents of cast members.)
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Dance Ensemble Northwest of Poulsbo presents its production of “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Nov. 25, 3 and 7 p.m. Nov. 26, and 3 p.m. Nov, 27 at North Kitsap Auditorium. Tickets are $10 pre-sale general admission; $18 adult general admission; and $12 for student and senior general admission. Go to www.tututix.com/client/ inmotionperformingarts/.
Dance Ensemble Northwest is a pre-professional dance company established in 1983 “to provide students with the opportunity to be a part of an organization that will teach the art of dance and performance in a fun and positive, yet disciplined, environment,” its website states. “The program promotes self-esteem and self-discipline while allowing students an outlet for creativity and self-expression.”
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Olympic Performance Group presents a unique rendition of “The Nutcracker” in five performances in December at North Kitsap Auditorium, 1881 NE Hostmark St., Poulsbo.
“The Nutcracker: World Explorer” introduces audiences to a charismatic explorer and his entertaining sidekick who travel around the globe, including a Bollywood party and a contemporary Mexican heritage celebration. Expect a fresh take on traditional dance and performance, with tumbling karate dolls and graceful ballerinas dancing under the moon. The production even features a giant fun-loving puppy.
Performance times and dates: 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17, 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18, and 2 p.m. Dec. 19.
Tickets are $15 for youth, students and military; $18 for seniors; and $20 for adults. Go to www.olympicperfor mancegroup.org or email DanceOPG@gmail.com.
— Richard Walker is editor of the North Kitsap Herald. Contact him at rwalker@soundpublishing.com.
