State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara’s Traditional “Nutcracker” comes to the Community Concert Hall Dec. 18-20

 

DURANGO, Colo. – The quintessential holiday treat, the “Nutcracker,” performed by the highly-acclaimed State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, returns to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College Dec. 18-20, for two matinee (2 p.m.) and two evening (7 p.m.) performances.

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.

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, complete with a variety of magical inhabitants to entertain her. 

In addition to the State Street Ballet traveling company, 57 local dancers from throughout southwest Colorado , ages 5-13, will perform, including:

Mice: Betsy Baker, Greta Cahill, Michele Carver, Ruth Dickson, Jayda Haring Duenas, Audrey Gotcher, Alpin Lily Hanson-Holladay, Amaya Holliday, Jozlin Klusack, Alyssa Maisel, Madalen Meier, Jessica Reed, Jade Robbins, Autumn Rymerson, Risabel Villa, Olivia Lola Walker and Lucinda Zastrocky.

Soldiers: Madison Anderson, Francesca Bianchi, Alicia DeLacey, Alexandra Dobbs, Brook Gauthier, Olivia Guerra, CeliaHale, Kate Hallin, Margo Leavitt, Josephine Mynatt, Aurora Murga, Amanda Saxton and Gabryel Sohle.

Angels: Bernadette Bianchi,  Madison Dickson, Sierra Heller, Sophie Hickcox, Maddie Hoven, Clarice Huckins, Claudia Marron, Ariel Murga, Aja Robbins and Holly Tate.

The youngest dancers will participate in two shows each as Mother Ginger’s Bon-bons: Friday, 7 p.m. and Saturday, 2 p.m. – Karaline Bassett, Shaelin Bassett, Stella Birrenkott, Alyx Potter, Jozlin Emma Tanner, Gwendolyn Thompson, Rexanne  Trautmann, Jack Whistler and Mia Whistler. Saturday, 7 p.m. and Sunday,  2 p.m. – Lynelle  Bartz, Nicole Bartz, Bridget Cahill, Sydney DeLacey, Emma Hallin, Kori Jenkins, Cameron Kelley and Georgia Mynatt.

          Senior dancers Tori Duhaime and Emily Murray, students at Durango High School, 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 by Gustafson and his wife Allison and is known for its innovative choreography and unique style. With 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” – $25 for Orchestra and Balcony, $30 for Plaza – are available on the web at www.durangoconcerts.com, by phone at 970.247.7657 or 877.282.9992, or in person at the Ticket Office in Downtown Durango at 7^th and Main Ave. All sales final.

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