State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s Traditional “Nutcracker” to be staged Dec. 9-11 at the Community Concert Hall

As has become tradition at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, the magical holiday ballet, “Nutcracker,” performed by the highly-acclaimed State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, will usher in the holidays with two matinee (2 p.m.) and two evening (7 p.m.) performances., Friday-Sunday, Dec. 9-11, 2011.

Artistic Director Rodney Gustafson holds true to the original classical ballet in this Tchaikovsky masterpiece, creating a traditional “Nutcracker” set in Victorian times and suited for all ages.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to see this timeless and beautiful ballet during the holidays,” noted Gustafson in a press release. “It’s a story everyone can follow as it’s brought to life through familiar music and timeless dance.”

The “Nutcracker” is based on the book The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman, and tells the story of a young German girl, Clara, whose godfather Drosselmeyer, a skilled clock and toy maker, presents her with a toy nutcracker during a holiday party. In Clara’s holiday dream, the toy comes to life and escorts her on a journey to a magical land, where a cast of unusual characters entertains her.

In addition to the State Street Ballet traveling company, 54 young local dancers (listed with their hometowns following this release) will perform, including:
Bon-bons: Bryn Aggeler, Zara Rose Brown, Libby Chen, Edie Erwin, Ashley Forrest, Lily Gallacher, Nina House, Anna Lucie Kidd, Molly Martinez, Abigail McKinnis, Ellie McLean, Elizabeth Pouezevara, Jeanne Pouezevara, Jesse Quenzle and Sophia Scavo. Alpin Hanson-Holladay and Jozlyn Klusack will perform as Bon-bon Big Sisters.

Mice: Karaline Bassett, Shaelin Bassett, Anna Cheesewright, Mia Ciotti, Téa Forrest, Bailey Klusack, Talya Klusack, Hailey Levine, Sailor Kabeary, Kate McKinnis, Alyx Potter, Lilia Reynolds and Gwendolyn Thompson.

Soldiers: Betsy Baker, Haley Christianson, Danielle Fernandez, Ella Gavlinski, Emma Hallin, Jozlyn Klusack, Madison Lemke, Lindsay Levine, Alyssa Maisel, Hannah Marx, Shannin Mayberry, Caitlyn Tapperson, Ava Wayland and Lucinda Zastrocky.

Angels: Madison Anderson, Francesca Bianchi, Cameron DeLacey, Brook Gauthier, Olivia Guerra, Edde Lyons, Sierra McCall, Hannah Miller, Claire Nickerson and Holly Tate.

Senior dancers Allie Hendrix, Lexy Heuseman, Brooke Cumbie, Bernadette Bianchi and Brittany Tucker are rehearsal assistants for the production, working with local professional instructor Judy Austin, who handles auditions and rehearsals for the local students.

State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara was founded in 1994 as a non-profit organization by Gustafson and his wife Allison and is known for its innovative choreography and unique style. Tackling at least three productions each season in Santa Barbara, the company has also toured throughout the United States, as well as internationally in Taiwan and China. Rodney Gustafson is formerly with Geneva Ballet, Cleveland Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

Tickets for the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s “Nutcracker” ($29/$39) are available on the web at www.durangoconcerts.com, by phone at 970.247.7657, or in person at the Ticket Office in Downtown Durango at 7th St. and Main Ave. All sales final.

Doors to the Concert Hall and concessions, serving beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, open one hour prior to curtain.

The Community Concert Hall is located in the arts complex of Fort Lewis College. It operates through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and with financial and in-kind contributions from generous members of the community.