The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
First stop for Albano’s Nutcracker tour
MIDDLETOWN — In its 16th year at Mohegan Sun and in its 56th year exposing Connecticut’s young audiences and families to its renown Christmas classic, Albano’s “Nutcracker” is scheduled for an ambitious 2017 holiday entertainment season.
The Hartford-based Albano Ballet Company, in residence at Mohegan Sun as one of its holiday marvels, presents five performances in its Cabaret Theater to live orchestra on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 9 with a matinee at 1 p.m. and an evening show at 7 and on Dec. 10 with an afternoon performance at 1 and another at 7 p.m.; two in New Britain at Welte Theater, CCSU on Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.
The show at the Middletown Performing Arts Center at Middletown High School, will be held on Saturday, at 3 p.m.
Albano’s “Nutcracker” touts full sets, costumes, props and more. Unlike small student recital productions, Albano’s senior company combined with his ever growing, popular youth ballet, joins forces with five of Connecticut’s leading dance academies to showcase and underscore certain Albano variations, giving young dancers from around Connecticut an opportunity and an experience of working alongside professional ballet dancers to live music.
“Serious students of the dance must work with professional performers in order to inspire as well as to expand their technical prowess. Dancing with European guest artists as well enhance our American learning curve,” Albano said in a written statement.
Miku Kawamura, prima ballerina from Japan, heads the list portraying the Sugar Plum Fairy, partnered by Eric Carnes, international premier danseur, portraying the Prince, and trained by Albano. Carnes’ biography includes performances in Italy, Croatia, and Greece.
Takao from Hong Kong; Yuko Suzuki from Japan; Henry Seth of the New York City Ballet; Sabrina Rinaldi, soloist of Ariston Pro Ballet, Italy; and Andrea Frisano dancer for the Torino Opera House, Italy and Olga Aru formerly of the Moscow Ballet, Russia, round out this year’s featured solo performers.
Albano’s “Nutcracker” relives the holiday story on Christmas Eve . . . decorating the tree and sharing presents. Uncle Drosselmeyer presents Albano’s signature puppet, Nutcracker, to Clara. Brother Fritz, enraged with the choice, breaks it which unfolds the dance drama in an exquisite Land of Snow and then into the Kingdom of Sweets.
It is in the Kingdom of Sweets where ballet identifies with the magic, grace and diverse divertissements that defines its essence, especially for Americans.
Albano said, “It is necessary to feature a full-length ballet with live orchestra; creating the interplay among the dancers and the sound. Of course, the fullscale backdrops also enhance the beauty.”
For tickets to the Middletown and Central Connecticut State University performances call 860-232-8898 or www.albanoballet.org. For tickets to Mohegan Sun, call the in-house box office at 860-862-8000 or Ticketmaster 1-800-7453000.