Sugar Plum Faries and Nutcracker Princes abound

Thanksgiving is upon us and with it comes the beginning of the holiday season and all the season brings with it. Shopping, decorating, family gatherings, party giving and party going fill our days and evenings from this week until the beginning of January. These are the things that pull us into the holiday spirit, but they can also deplete our energy and test our ability to maintain the holiday cheer.

One tradition that proclaims the holiday season without testing our patience, however, is also getting into full swing: over the next few weeks the Nutcracker Ballet will be performed by several local dance companies, each offering well rehearsed, elegant and enchanting performances.

The Nutcracker Ballet is based on the book “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” written by E.T.A. Hoffman. In 1891, the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky to write the music for the Nutcracker. In 1892, the first showing of the Nutcracker took place at the Mariinsky Theatre of Russia, home of the Kirov Ballet. The Nutcracker made its way to Western Europe in the 1930’s and to America by 1940, performed by Ballet Russe. The first American full length Nutcracker was performed by the San Francisco Ballet and choreographed by W. Christensen.

Although what is seen on the stage today is different in detail from the original story, the basic plot remains the same; The story of a young German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.

When Marius Petipa had the idea to choreograph the story into a ballet, it was actually based on a revision by Alexander Dumas, the French author of “The Count of Monte Cristo.” His version reflects more of what we have come to love as the Nutcracker Ballet.

This year welcomes four Nutcracker performances that are sure to impress audiences.

The Peachtree City Civic Ballet Company

Peachtree City Civic Ballet Company will present The Nutcracker Ballet on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.

All performances will be held at Our Lady of Mercy High School in Fairburn. According to director Kathleen Senger, local dancers perform in all roles making this truly a community-based production. Dancing the role of Sugar Plum Fairy are Whitewater High School junior Emilie Hedou, Fayette County High School freshman Laura Zitelli, and Starr’s Mill High School freshman Lindsay Ratcliffe. Mamie Smith, Jamie Callison, and MaryGrace Williams will dance the role of Clara.

The entire ballet will feature 80 dancers, spectacular scenery, lavish costumes, and the beautiful Tchaikovsky score. Tickets are $10 each for this annual holiday tradition and may be reserved by phone at 770-632-1544.

Fayette Dance Theatre

Fayette Dance Theatre will present their 19th anniversary Nutcracker performance on Dec. 16 and 17 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School in Fairburn. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Michael Lee, artistic director for Fayette Dance Theatre, who is directing Nutcracker for his 19th consecutive year in Fayette County will again be appearing as Drosselmeyer in the beloved traditional holiday production. He will be joined by a cast of 100 performers and guest artists Faith Madison and Jay Jernigan, who will dance the leading roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

Reserved seating prices are as follows: children and seniors: $10; adults $12.50; mezzanine and orchestra $15; and patrons $22.50. Patrons will be listed in the Program Book and are extended an invitation to attend the Gala Holiday Reception on Saturday evening immediately following the performance. Again this year, several businesses and friends have made it possible to purchase a reserved seating family package for six for $55. There is a 20% discount being offered to churches, scout groups, and organizations.

Tickets may be reserved and charged by phone by calling 770-461-0976 or 678-817-9327. Visa and Master Card are accepted. Tickets may also be purchased Mon.-Thur., 3:30–7:30 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Fayette Dance Theatre Box Office, 155 Bradford Square, Suite E, Fayetteville.

Georgia Dance Theatre

Georgia Dance Theatre, in association with Georgia Academy of Dance, is putting the spice in your annual tradition with “The Nutcracker Tea.” This interactive performance takes place on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at Kedron Elementary School.

This year, Georgia Dance Theatre wanted to give the community something traditional, yet different to attend during the holiday season. During this event, attendees can enjoy a full menu of goodies while watching excerpts from The Nutcracker Suite. Additionally, all children ages 3 years old and up will have the opportunity to go on stage and perform with the talented dancers of Georgia Dance Theatre. With this interactive performance, children can be introduced to the stage in a relaxed atmosphere. Girls are encouraged to wear their favorite party dress to dance with Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy, while boys can help the Nutcracker Prince battle the Rat King. Also, if you planned on making a visit to Santa Claus this year, he will be attending the tea for picture-taking and listening to Christmas wishes. This interactive family event is a great way for anyone to celebrate the holidays. All children, teenagers, adults, and seniors will enjoy this performance.

Be part of this unique opportunity and let your children experience dance, the arts and tradition. For reservations to this family event, contact Georgia Academy of Dance at info@gadance.com or call 770-631-3128. Visit www.gadance.com for more details. The all-inclusive event tickets are $8.

Georgia Youth Ballet

For the last eleven years, the regional company Magdalena Maury founded in 1996, Georgia Youth Ballet, has been performing its annual Nutcracker. After decades of performing, choreographing and acting as an artistic director for Nutcrackers around the country, Maury knows that audiences like surprises. As a result, GYB patrons know that even if they have seen a Georgia Youth Ballet Nutcracker before, every year they will see new costumes, sets, props, cast members and choreography. This year is no exception.

Georgia Youth Ballet will perform their 11th annual Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 1 and 2 at The Centre for the Performing and Visual Arts of Coweta County. Nearly 150 cast members from every south metro county will help audiences enjoy the classic story of Christmas Eve at the Silberhaus mansion.

GYB will perform its 2006 Nutcracker three times over a single weekend. The Family Night performance is Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. All tickets for Family Night are $8. The Matinee Performance is Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and the Evening Performance is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for both Dec. 2 shows are $15 for adults and $12 for students/seniors.

For more information on Georgia Youth Ballet, call The Studio at 770-716-9858 or visit www.gyb.us.

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