The Sugar Plum Fairy pirouettes into town as the South Carolina Dance Theatre opens its 31st season with “The Nutcracker” Nov.7-9 at Florence Little Theatre. Performed by company members of the SCDT, a nonprofit pre-professional ballet company, the ballet brings to the stage the magic and beauty of dance set to enchanting music with beautiful costumes. Performances will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8, and 3 p.m. Nov. 9.
The story of “The Nutcracker” is told through the eyes of Clara, a young girl who receives a gift of a nutcracker. She falls asleep under the Christmas tree and dreams of a fantasy world where mice and toy soldiers magically come to life. They enter into a ferocious battle and the Nutcracker leads the charge of the soldiers against the mice. Clara saves the Nutcracker who magically turns into a handsome prince, leading Clara on a journey into the Kingdom of the Sweets, where toys come to life and flowers dance before her eyes.
The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Rachael Hart, who will be partnered by Antonio Brown as the Cavalier. Other leading roles are Chelsea Morgan as Clara, Emily Lowman as Snow Queen, Tori Payne as Dew Drop Fairy and Julia Flowers as the Mouse King. Other dancers and their roles are Nina Panvelker as Chinese, Alice Fort as Columbine, Patricia Snowden as Cadette Doll, Helen Lamm as Arabian, Stephanie Glanville as Mirleton and Ashlee Lovelace as Arabian Demi-Soloist. Joining these company members are guests Devin Chauvot as Nutcracker, Chris Hatfield as Dr. Stahlbaum, Meggie Baker as Mrs. Stahlbaum, Amelia Smith as Grandmother and Jeff Murrie as Grandfather. The SCDT welcomes back Nick Townsend to the stage as he recreates the role of Drosselmeyer. Party guests include Lisa Knell Mitchell and Kathy Hunter, both former company members, who will be joined by Lindsay Springs and Kyle Miller.
Other company members who will perform are Lazaria George, Taylor Gray, Madison Hall, Gabrielle McElveen, Lauren McClure, Jenna Goodman, Ellie Arnold, Katherine Bishara, Hannah Brown, Kendall Ferarra, Rachel Flamini, Ashley Griffin, Lauren McClure, Petra Morgan, Erin Paasch, Ariadne Roberts, Elizabeth Singleton, Alexis Wacker, Claire Andrews, Sydney Belt, Hallie Brown, Hannah Griffin, Cassidy Koon, Tessa Pinkerman, Elizabeth Singleton, Carley Sorensen, Logan Suggs, Jillian Wacker, Camille Knockemus, Rebecca Knockemus, Grace Shifflet and Sarah Spence.
A group of auditioned dancers, appearing as guests of the company, will open the second act as Angels. These dancers are Lexie Jones, Leah Abbott, Makayla Tarkinson, Abbie Norton, Savannah Elgin, Annie Kate Watson, Kathelyn Rogers, Sydney Younginer, Rosemary Flamini, Delaney Bessenger, Alexis Hinson, Emily Gainey, Emily Anderson, Caroline Carter, Jacqueline Reaves and Sarah Wolfe.
The choreography and staging of the ballet are under the direction of Susan Rowe, artistic director, and Natalie Martin, ballet mistress. Former company members, Meggie Baker and Kathy Hunter, also have assisted with rehearsals and staging. Christy Barnard, a former company member who danced professionally with Houston Ballet and Ballet Austin, has served as a special consultant and coach for the soloists.
Set to E.T.A. Hoffmans wonderful story and the music of Tchaikovsky, “The Nutcracker” is one of the great classics and a Christmas tradition. The wonder, energy and unbridled sense of the possibilities of a child’s world are captured in the ballet. Familiar to audiences around the world, “The Nutcracker” is the beginning of the holiday season around the world.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students.
Reservations can be made by calling the FLT box office at (843) 662-3731. Season memberships are also available by calling the South Carolina Dance Theatre at (843) 669-3991. For more information, visit www.scdancetheatre.com.
If you’re Going
WHAT: The South Carolina Dance Theatre presents
“The Nutcracker”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8; 3 p.m. Nov. 9
WHERE: Florence Little Theatre, 417 S. Dargan St., Florence
ADMISSION: $18/adults;
$10/students
INFO: (843) 662-3731
ON THE WEB:
www.scdancetheatre.com
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