Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
The cast of Centralia Ballet Academy's production of "The Nutcracker," which includes six Mason County dancers, on Tuesday evening rehearses at the Shelton School District Performing Arts Center at Shelton High School. The ballet is staged at 1 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday.
Six Mason County dancers ages 7 to 17 perform a new opening scene during the overture to Centralia Ballet Academy's production of "The Nutcracker" ballet at 1 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday at the Shelton School District Performing Arts Center at Shelton High School.
The students are performing as part of the group's outreach program.
Admission is $17 in advance, $19 at the door. The seating is general admission. For more information or to buy tickets, go to http://www.centraliaballet.com or call or text 360-623-9010.
The ballet combines Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's score and E.T.A. Hoffman's terrifying fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." "The Nutcracker" debuted in December 1892 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The two-act ballet is set at a house party on Christmas Eve and follows the adventures of the siblings Fritz and Clara, the talented toymaker Drosselmyer, and an epic battle between mice, gingerbread soldiers and a nutcracker who is transformed back into a prince.
The second act begins with a trip to the Land of Sweets, where Clara and the prince are entertained by dancing candy canes, flowers, sugar plum fairies, Mother Ginger and her children.
Co-artistic director and writer Mickey Gunter wrote the new opening scene. In an interview with the Journal, Gunter said it is an origin story where we learn how Herr Drosselmyer created his first mechanical doll, and how he got his eye patch. The show gives the six local dancers the chance to be part of a stage show without having to drive or by driven to Centralia, he said.
In the scene, Callum Black is young Drosselmyer, Chloe Maruca is the Fairy Doll, Ava James is the Ballerina Doll, Joey Tondre is the Red Riding Hood Doll, Lane Stoney is the Pirate Doll and Rainier Black is the Little Mouse.
Gunter said he chose to stage the show here because "Shelton is 'Christmastown USA' and they don't have a 'Nutcracker' yet." He said he plans next year to speak to Mason County students in classrooms to get more of them involved.
IF YOU GO
WHO: Centralia Ballet Academy and six local dancers
WHAT: “The Nutcracker” ballet
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Shelton School District Performing Arts Center at Shelton High School
ADMISSION: $17 in advance, $19 at the door
RESERVATIONS: http://www.centraliaballet.com and 360-623-9010
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