Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1056332
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NOVEMBER 28-DECEMBER 4, 2018 UCW 15 LESLIE PYO, Assistant Editor. COMMENTS? Editor@upand- comingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. Not many local events can claim a legacy that spans 40-plus years. e North Carolina State Ballet's presentation of "e Nutcracker" is one such treasured tradition. "e Nutcracker" invites audience members to immerse themselves in Christmas spirit with the beauty of classical ballet performed to Pyotr Ilyich Tchai- kovsky's iconic score. Perfor- mance dates are Dec. 8 and 9 at the Crown Complex eatre. is production proudly calls Fayetteville its home thanks to Charlotte Blume. In the 1960s, the NC State Ballet was based in Raleigh, and Blume was its prima donna. When the director stepped down, Blume took over — and took the company with her to her home in Fayetteville, where she owned the Charlotte Blume School of Dance. Her studio, nestled in downtown Fayetteville, became home for the NC State Ballet. Blume oversaw production on "e Nutcracker" every year from 1975 until she passed away two- and-a half-years ago. Dina Lewis, NC State Ballet board member and vice president of the company for the past three years, attended Terry Sanford High School with Blume and shared a close friendship with her. Lewis said Blume's passion was to bring the arts to Fayetteville and to give everyone the opportunity to see a classical ballet. "Ms. Blume's last words were to keep ("e Nutcracker") produced and to keep, every year, something fresh," Lewis said. "And every year since her passing, we have had something fresh going on, whether a set change or costume change. e only thing that's remained untouched is her core choreography." "e Nutcracker" ballet, which first debuted in 1892, is a dreamy, wonder-filled story that has both evergreen appeal and plenty of room for the yearly innovation Blume encouraged. Originally choreo- graphed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, the ballet is based on E. T. A. Hoffmann's story "e Nutcracker and the Mouse King," which was written in 1816. e ballet follows a young girl, Clara, whose Uncle Drossel- meyer — a magician — on Christ- mas Eve gifts her a nutcracker carved as a toy soldier. at night, Clara's dreams transport her to a world where she meets enchanted characters like the Nutcracker Prince, the evil Mouse King, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Mother Gin- ger. She also, as goes dream logic, visits Spain, Russia and China. is year, Lewis said, it's the Mother Ginger scene that boasts that "something fresh" Blume wanted — an all-new costume made by one of the dance moms, Rhonda Drewery. "We also added probably an additional 12 cast members to (that scene) this year," Lewis said. "We're really excited about that. I kind of think it's going to steal the show." Fifty-seven dancers ages 7-18 comprise this year's cast. ey've been rehearsing for almost five months. "e majority of them have been (dancing) with us since they were babies," Lewis said. "ey're all our homegrown students." Lewis said she's impressed by the level of work ethic and multifaceted talent she sees in the danc- ers, specifically naming Marissa Morris, Evelyn Hairr and Ella Lewis as shining examples. "ese are people who are varsity cheerleaders, participate in Student Government Association, cross country. … ey're in Honor Society. ey're in Key Club. It's amazing that they still come to the studio on time, and they stay late and get the job done." Hairr shares the role of Grown Clara with Hannah Reeder; Novalee English and Haebin Drewery play Little Clara. Jacqueline Sullivan and Isabella Rogers share the role of Fritz, Clara's younger brother. Ella Lewis and Morris both portray the Snow Queen and Jewel, and Lewis also portrays Sugar Plum along with guest artist Deprecia Simpson. Adam Chavis and Sheila Mitchell served as pri- mary choreographers. Morris, Hairr and Ella Lewis are also three of sev- eral advanced Charlotte Blume School of Dance stu- dents who were selected to dance minor roles with the Moscow Ballet's Fayetteville stop on its traveling tour for "Great Russian Nutcracker." "So, this whole time, they've not only rehearsed for our production of 'e Nutcracker,' but they're also rehearsing for Moscow's production, which is totally different choreography," Lewis said. "ese are pro- fessional Russian ballerinas and ballet masters. It's a very big honor and opportunity." at performance takes place at the Crown eatre Dec. 10. Learn more about it at www.crowncomplexnc.com. In the midst of striving for excellence for their own performance, Lewis said, a family atmosphere re- mains important and emphasized. Dancers focus on how they can help others get better rather than how they can outdo each other. It helps that the dancers' parents have a strong presence in the production, whether that's in a behind-the-scenes role like cos- tuming or whether that's onstage. "e Mouse King this year is a teenager, and her dad is in the party scene," Lewis said. "It's this wholesome tradition. … It takes you to a place where you remember your childhood. It's a story of this little girl who has this beautiful fantasy dream and it all comes to life. I think that's what growing up is all about. You have these dreams and hopes, and you should always shoot for it all. If you don't try, you're going to miss out. I think the story of Clara really brings that all into focus." See "e Nutcracker" Dec. 8 and 9 at the Crown Complex eatre at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults; $10 for children 12 and under; and are free for chil- dren under 5. Call 910-484-3466 to purchase tickets. Learn more about the Charlotte Blume School of Dance at www.charlotteblumeschoolofdance.com. NC State Ballet presents 43rd year of 'The Nutcracker' by LESLIE PYO COVER STORY L to R: Marissa Morris and Ella Lewis both portray the Snow Queen and Jewel. Novalee English plays Little Clara, and Jacqueline Sullivan plays her brother, Fritz. Jackson Rednour- Hallman plays Drosselmeyer. L to R: Sophia Lewis as Columbine and Helen Steffan as Harlequin