Timely tradition: ‘The Nutcracker’
Classic characters come to life next weekend at Perot
Like Mistletoe Fair and Yulefest, the Texarkana Community Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” production at the Perot Theatre has become an essential part of local holiday celebrations.
This year’s rendition includes four shows: 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30; both 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2.
Leads this year include Catherine Wright as Clara, Sarah Grace Boudreaux as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Matthew Plattner as the Nutcracker. This year’s Council President and his wife are portrayed by Richard and Vicki Hornok.
The TCB includes several local dance companies, who come together to stage this beloved production. Patti Thomas serves as the TCB board president while Ann Nicholas serves as a board member. Each year, TCB volunteers dedicate
their energy to make a special show.
While the story and music are forever timeless in this ballet, there are other changes that keep it fresh and different from year to year.
“New scenery, new costumes, new cast,” Thomas said about what’s on stage this year. “Changes, yes, many changes.” While there are new aspects, the TCB dedicates itself to maintaining the traditions of “The Nutcracker” and choosing what fits with the era and those dances.
The auditions and dancers selected help guide choices made for choreography and costumes. “It’s different every time,” Thomas said.
Directors for each part of the ballet work separately with their dancers, then they come together to make it a seamless production. Teachers on the board select the choreography for their particular section. Scenes include the Battle of the Mice and Soldiers, the Kingdom of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. Of course, there’s also the family Christmas party.
For young dancers, taking part in “The Nutcracker” and playing certain roles add excitement to the holidays. From year to year, they may play new roles. It’s true for the teachers, too, Thomas explains, when they think back on their own involvement.
“So is it with the directors. We were all in ‘The Nutcracker’ growing up,” Thomas said. They remember back to roles they played.
The TCB has staged its annual production since the 1960s. It hasn’t always been “The Nutcracker,” but it’s been regularly staged since 2008. Other ballets include “Coppelia,” “Peter and the Wolf” and “Cinderella.”
The directors are tasked with the job of making it all work, coming together for a unified production.
“To bring the work of 10 different choreographers into one,” Nicholas said. Tchaikovsky’s music, she said, helps them accomplish this goal. “The music takes care of that issue, I think.”
WHY “THE NUTCRACKER”
IS SO BELOVED
“I think part of it is it’s attached to the Christmas holidays,” Nicholas said. “It’s a tradition. I think that’s a big part of it.” It’s also focused on children, incorporating them into the dancing. The sections are short, the music varies from dance to dance and it all keeps your attention, Nicholas said.
“It’s for all ages,” Thomas added about the appeal. That’s not always the case in ballet.
Other roles in this year’s “Nutcracker” are played by Alana Lindsey as the Dew Drop Fairy, Chloe Carpenter as the Snow Queen, Will Porterfield as the Snow King, Garrett Talley as the Mouse King, Seth Small as Fritz, Michael Skotnik as Herr Drosselmeyer, Emily Waters as Ballerina Doll, Emma McMillen as Harlequin Doll, Lauren Muckleroy as Mother Ginger, Caylin Scates as Reed Flute Soloist and Hailee Partin as Arabian Soloist.
This year’s auditioner was Catherine Roe, summer intensive and community enrichment coordinator for the Texas Ballet Theater. Dancers age 8 and up are participating. In all, the cast totals roughly 230 dancers.
“It’s just a great way for everyone to kick off the holidays,” Thomas said.