The Asheville Ballet, North Carolina’s oldest non-profit ballet company, presents this full-length classical holiday tradition with stars, story and sugarplums this weekend at Diana Wortham Theatre.
The Asheville Ballet’s Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition in Asheville for almost half a century. Children and adults will be charmed yet again by ballet’s greatest classic. This all-time favorite story of Clara’s magical midnight trip to the Land of Sweets is classical ballet at its best. Snow will fall in the Snow Queen’s kingdom, scary rats will frighten and good soldiers will rescue Clara, the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy and her handsome Cavalier will dance their eternally lovely pas de deux, and beautiful flowers will waltz, and waltz, and waltz.
There is an historical line behind this production, from Petipa and Vaganova in 19th century Russia, to their pupil and dancer George Balanchine in 20th century New York, to his pupil Ann Dunn in 21st century Asheville.
This year’s production features exciting new choreography for Rats, Flowers, Gingersnaps, and Clara and her prince.
“Asheville is so fortunate to have a resident ballet company of this caliber,” says Ann Dunn, Artistic Director. “The community has, essentially, a year-long resident repertoire company. Seasoned ballet fans and novices alike have the opportunity to watch consummate professionals perform a wide variety of roles, from classical to contemporary.”
A perfect opportunity for young people to encounter professional classical dance and a wonderful, traditional story, in a real theatrical experience.
Performances are at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, as well as 2:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Adult ticket prices range from $25 to $50. Student tickets are $18, and tickets for children twelve and under are $15.
Please visit www.dwtheatre.com for additional information and to purchase tickets.
Asheville Ballet is one of Western North Carolina’s oldest non-profit arts organizations. First incorporated in 1963, the company has created and presented work in Asheville every year since. In an average season, formal and educational outreach programming affects a culturally diverse audience of approximately 23,000 people. An active advisory panel and a strong, well-organized volunteer base assist a committed board.
(Photo by by Dathan Brannon.)