Under the artistic direction of Leonid Flegmatov, Kingsport Ballet prepares for a record year of “The Nutcracker” with the largest cast to date. The production takes place at the Ballad Health Performing Arts Center (formerly the Wellmont Performing Arts Center) on the Northeast State campus, Dec. 7-10. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. Sunday matinee is at 2:30 p.m. The Saturday show is also livestreamed.
Last year’s “Nutcracker” production saw the addition of several new set pieces, giving the onstage scene a brighter and more magical appearance. In addition to the larger cast, this December audiences will see the beginning of costuming updates.
The story of “The Nutcracker” is set in Germany in the early Victorian era. It features an eccentric uncle, Herr Drosselmeyer, who brings the Stahlbaum children a homemade Christmas present – a Nutcracker. At the family’s Christmas Eve party in Act I, Clara and her brother Fritz have an adventure with the strange toy. Fritz and the other party guests quickly lose interest in the nutcracker, but Clara loves it very much. That night, she dreams that her nutcracker comes to life as a prince; Toy soldiers come to life to help the prince engage in a battle to defend Clara against huge mice, and the Christmas tree grows to giant proportions.
In Act II, Clara and her prince dance a pas de deux along with other colorful divertissements, which showcase dances from around the world – such as Russian, Spanish and Chinese dances.
The company has been staging “The Nutcracker” in the East Tennessee region for two decades drawing local and regional audiences, including those from Asheville and Southwest Virginia. Some long-time followers travel up to 90 minutes to attend the ballet and have made it a family tradition, collecting souvenirs from the ballet boutique and attending the children’s party, Clara’s Tea, prior to seeing the ballet.
Clara’s Tea is Dec. 9 at 5 p.m. prior to Saturday’s performance in Northeast State’s humanities building. Children, ages 4-10, are encouraged to wear holiday dress, meet members of the cast and take home a keepsake. Tickets are $12 per child (include one chaperone per family).
The production features over 60 dancers, including principal guest artists from professional ballet companies across the United States, as well as Kingsport Ballet company dancers and children from the area.
Visit www.kingsportballet.org and follow the links to purchase tickets online.
