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Ballet Western Reserve Presents 'Golden' Nutcracker
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Ballet Western Reserve this year presents a special edition of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet "The Golden Nutcracker," on the stage at Powers Auditorium. The event marks the ballet's 50th anniversary in the Mahoning Valley.
Nearly 80 Ballet Western Reserve students ages 7 to 17 have rehearsed for more than two months to bring "The Golden Nutcracker" to life, says Virginia Hartman, artistic director.
This year’s production is special because the ballet has uncovered the original sets and backdrops from its 1970 production of the Nutcracker, Hartman said. These have been restored and will be used in the performances on at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22. A student performance also will take place for area school children at 10 a.m. Dec. 19.
A number of collaborations will bring this year's performance to a new level, Hartman added.
With strong company dancers anchoring the production, the performance features guest artist and Mahoning Valley native John Scaccetti, now of New York City, and alumnus and current BWR instructor Courteny Cochran will play the Golden Snow Princess. Cochran will dance the Snow Pas De Deux with guest artist Jens Lee. James McClellan returns as the mysterious and magical Herr Drosselmeyer, and Easy Street Production’s Todd Hancock will lend his voice as the narrator.
Making a return performance are the professional dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio -- a highlight of last year’s Nutcracker, Hartman said. At the conclusion of each show a raffle will be held for the golden nutcracker used on stage and autographed by "Clara."
Tickets are available by calling the DeYor box office at (330) 744-0264.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.