Huntsville Ballet, symphony to perform ‘The Nutcracker’
HUNTSVILLE – Huntsville Ballet Company, accompanied by Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, will reprise its popular and critically acclaimed production of “The Nutcracker” at Von Braun Center’s Mark C. Smith Concert Hall on Dec. 8-10.
“Huntsville Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ is a timeless, inventive and re-imagined classic ballet danced to Tchaikovsky’s treasured score and is a holiday tradition your whole family can enjoy,” Jessica Claire Hall said. Hall is Director of Social Media for Huntsville Ballet.
Company members from Madison who are dancing principal roles are Filipe Aragao, Ashley Jordan, Jillian Pennell and Jenna Turner. Community Ballet Board members from Madison are Debbie Baughn, Garrett Estes and Robert Salinas.
Lisa Ordway, resident costume designer at Huntsville Ballet, designed the costumes. Artistic Director Phillip Otto instructs the company dancers.
Set in 1860, “The Nutcracker” opens in the historic Huntsville home of the Erskine family. Tchaikovsky’s beloved musical score tells the story of The Nutcracker, a gift from Laura Erskine’s mysterious godfather Drosselmeyer, played by theater legend Ron Harris.
As the magical nutcracker comes to life, the characters are whisked away to The Land of the Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy and a global array of colorful characters welcome and entertain them.
“This year’s new ‘Waltz of the Flowers’s costumes and tiaras were created in honor of 97-year-old Rosa Belle Van Valkenburgh, who developed the Day Lily Garden at Huntsville Botanical Garden. She is known locally for her own vibrant day lily and iris collection, which was the inspiration for the new costumes,” Hall said.
“It is our honor, along with Team Redstone and our community partners, to invite active duty, retired, guard and reserve military members and their families to a complimentary performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ and a holiday performance by the Army Materiel Command Band on Dec. 7 in the VBC Concert Hall,” Hall said. Call 256-539-0961.
In addition, the Outreach and Education Department of Huntsville Ballet again will welcome 3,500 area third-grade students to the VBC Concert Hall for two specially scheduled, closed performances on Dec. 7 and 8.
Public performances for “The Nutcracker” are scheduled Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 9 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $29. To order online, visit ticketmaster.com, or call VBC Box Office at 256-551-2345. Group discount rates are available.
For more information, call 256-539-0961 or visit huntsvilleballet.org.
