The Montgomery Ballet, Montgomery's Official Dance Company, will present its 34th annual holiday tradition "The Nutcracker" December 4th, 5th, 6th, 19th and 20th at the Davis Theatre.Montgomery Ballet is pleased to announce its new production of The Nutcracker, directed and choreographed by Artistic Director, Elie Lazar. Mr. Lazar’s choreography has generated much excitement from audiences, critics, and theatres world-wide. With the growing number of professional dancers the production will alternate principal casts of dancers. In the roles of the “Sugar Plum Fairy” and her “Cavalier”: Molly Wagner with Dana Lanz-Ross, Nicole Padilla with Paul Gilliam, and Joseph and Laura Villalobos. Montgomery Ballet’s presentation of the holiday classic The Nutcracker is the only production with a cast of 20 professional dancers employed by the City’s Official Dance Company plus 60 local students from the Montgomery Ballet School, the Official School of Montgomery Ballet Company. In addition, Mr. Lazar has also choreographed several new divertissements for the 2nd Act, “Land of the Sweets” including Spanish, Chinese divertissement based on the traditional Chinese Ribbon Dance, Russian, and Flowers.The Montgomery Ballet has received rave reviews for all of its performances. The Montgomery Ballet has been described as “a company on the rise and a must-see for audiences in the South and elsewhere one wonders how much more Lazar has to say as choreographer. Scissoring leaps and brilliantly sustained musical passages are becoming its forte” (The Montgomery Independent). This year’s Nutcracker will again be a captivating performance utilizing the talents and expertise of The Montgomery Ballet’s 20 professional dancers. Scenic Designer, Seay Earehart, created sets that “were enhanced with full side and ceiling drops artfully painted… all creating a magical evening’s performance” (The Montgomery Advertiser). Seay Earehart will also contribute to the designing of costumes this year as well as his spectacular scenery.On Saturday, December 5th following the 2:30 matinee, guests will be whisked away to the “Land of the Sweets” where the “Sugar Plum Fairy”, “Clara”, and other “Nutcracker” favorites will meet and greet and host a party for their young guests. Children can have photographs taken with their favorite Nutcracker Characters and will receive festive party favors, punch, and sweets in a magical setting in Tines Alley.After the Saturday, December 19th matinee, the “Land of the Sweets” will take place on-stage. Children will receive autographs, party favors and photographs with their favorite Nutcracker character!Performances of The Nutcracker are December 4th and 5th at 7:30 pm and matinees are December 5th, 6th, 19th, and 20th at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $15-$35 and “Land of the Sweets” tickets are $10 for each child.For info on all performances, tickets, and “Land of the Sweets” party call the Ballet at (334) 409-0522. Tickets are available online at www.etix.com. Tickets are also available at the door beginning 45minutes before the performances.The Montgomery Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker made possible in part by support from Gwyn and Bob Pirnie, The Slawson Family, the City of Montgomery, Montgomery County Commission, Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, Knology, The Montgomery Advertiser, the Alabama State Council on the Arts, Senator Larry Dixon, The National Endowment for the Arts, the Support the Arts Alabama Tag Grant, WSFA, WAKA, Lamar, and many individual patrons. The Company has been designated a Major Arts Institution by the Alabama State Council on the Arts, and was named the Official Performing Dance Company and School of the City of Montgomery in 2007. For more information and a complete performance schedule, please visit the Montgomery Ballet’s website at www.montgomeryballet.org.For more information regarding The Montgomery Ballet Company’s extensive performance season, subscriptions, or class schedule, please call the Montgomery Ballet office at 334-409-0522 or visit www.montgomeryballet.org.
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