Last year was the first time I’d ever seen a full production of Nutcracker. That in itself is hard to believe, but it’s especially egregious given that not only does Rochester get a professional performance of the holiday classic each year, but that performance also features a lot of young local dancers.
More than 30 children from Webster’s very own Dancing With Denise studio will be performing alongside the full international professional Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet troupe this year, filling the roles of mice, party kids, snowflakes, doves and other characters. It’s a rare opportunity for these kids to audition, rehearse and perform with a professional, international touring ballet company.
Any of you who’ve had the pleasure of seeing Nutcracker already know that it’s a truly magical show, from the bright Christmas-Eve-celebration colors, costumes and staging in the first act, to the sparkling wintry scenes in Act II, wrapped in the beautiful music we all know so well. The addition of adorable local children makes it even more enchanting.
I remember feeling somewhat sorry last year for the professional dancers when the kids were performing. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one, for example, paying more attention to the little rats scurrying around the stage than the pitched battle taking place between the Rat King and the Nutcracker.
Aside from the children, The Nutcracker features an award-winning ensemble from Ukraine, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and more. It’s marking its 31st tour this holiday season, with stops in more than 50 cities across the country. As part of their “Dance With Us” program, the company partners with local dance studios like Dancing with Denise to cast young talent to perform onstage alongside the professional artists. This is the 15th year Dancing with Denise has had the privilege of being chosen to host this magical event.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet will take the stage on Friday December 8 at 7 p.m. at The West Herr Auditorium Theatre. Tickets are going fast for the one-time performance, so get yours soon. Click here to order online.
The Dancing With Denise studio is located at 1077 Gravel Rd. in West Webster.
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AND THERE’S MORE!
I recently got an email from a proud papa who told me that Emma Clausen is also performing in the Nutcracker this weekend.
Emma, who also lives in Webster, dances with TNT Dance Explosion in Irondequoit. She performed last weekend at Eastman Theater with the Rochester City Ballet and RPO and performs again this week with the ballet company at Fort Hill Performing Arts Center in Canandaigua.
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(posted 12/4/2023)
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