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By Joel Frady
The Conservatory of Dance & Theatre from Galax, Va., will
bring their fourth annual production of The
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Nutcracker to the Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson for two
shows on Saturday, Dec. 13. The classic tale, set to the music
of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, will tell the story of a young German
girl who dreams of a Nutcracker prince that battles the evil
Mouse King.
The Conservatory has produced The Nutcracker for the last four
years. The show premiered in Ashe County in 2007 to sold-out
audiences, so producers decided to bring the show back this
year.
Susan Gleason, public relations director for the Conservatory,
said that the dance studio was opened in 2002 by Dr. Barbara
Johnson, a former professional ballerina and the studio's artistic
director, and that Johnson opened the studio "when she
moved up to Galax and saw that there was no dance school that
produced professional productions.
"She wanted to offer the community classical ballet performances
as well as other performances with other dance genres,"
such as the studio's recent production of Cats. "Dr. Johnson
is very interested in giving to the community. She has a vision
and she is very experienced and knowledgeable and can bring
classical ballet productions, and other dance and theater productions,
to the community."
When deciding on a Christmas show, Gleason said that The Nutcracker
was the obvious choice.
"The Nutcracker is an annual holiday tradition all over
the world," she said. "It's an internationally renowned
ballet, and it's a Christmas ballet because the story happens
during Christmas time."
She noted that the costumes are a key piece of the show. Each
year the studio crafts new costumes for the show to go along
with backdrops rented from New York City.
"All the costumes are different, colorful, dazzling,"
said Gleason. "That is part of what makes the show."
Audiences can also look forward to seeing local dancers joining
in on the fun. Gleason said that students of April's School
of Dance in West Jefferson have been rehearsing the roles of
mice and Chinese dancers and will join Conservatory dancers
for the Ashe County performance.
"Dr. Johnson had the idea to take The Nutcracker on the
road last year and involve the community's dance schools,"
said Gleason.
"Everybody wins all around - the student dancers get the
opportunity to perform in a professional-caliber ballet, and
we really enjoy involving the dancers from the other community."
Gleason noted that the show provides both entertainment and
the chance to enjoy ballet.
"It will introduce them to classical ballet," she
said. "Because the story is easy to follow, it's a visual
and auditory assault - it's just a lot of fun to watch. Lots
of colors, glitter, excitement, there's never a dull moment
in The Nutcracker ballet, and Dr. Johnson makes it a point to
change the show every year" to keep it interesting. In
addition to set and costume changes, Johnson also choreographs
more challenging dances to take advantage of improving dancers.
The Nutcracker will be performed at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the
Ashe Civic Center. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children
13 and under.
To purchase tickets or to find out more about the performance,
call the Ashe County Arts Council at (336) 846-2787 or click
to www.galaxballet.com.
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