WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2019 UCW 11
STEPHANIE CRIDER, Associate
Publisher. COMMENTS? Editor@upand-
comingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.
For many, the
Christmas season is
not complete with-
out seeing a produc-
tion of "The Nut-
cracker," the grace,
athleticism and heart
of the performers
shine forth on stage
after months and
even years of train-
ing. The familiar
musical score deliv-
ers the classics that
embody the iconic
adventures of Clara
and her nutcracker.
Perhaps the audi-
ence hums along,
toes tapping as the
dancers flitter across
the stage. Dec. 6-8,
Fayetteville audi-
ences can enjoy The
Dance Theatre of
Fayetteville's rendi-
tion of "The Nut-
cracker" at Method-
ist University.
Based on E.T.A.
Hoffman's 1816
fairytale "The
Nutcracker and
the Mouse King,"
the ballet was not always as popular as it is
today. When the production premiered at the
Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Rus-
sia, in December,1892, it was considered a
flop even though the score was written by
the famous composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and
the renowned Marius Petipa choreographed
the show. It seemed the only person who was
impressed by it was Czar Alexander III. Petipa
and Tchaikovsky had worked together previ-
ously on "Sleeping Beauty" with great success.
"The Nutcracker" ballet takes place on
Christmas Eve at a party at the Stahlbaum
House — a large and beautiful estate. Herr
Drosselmeyer gives young Clara a nutcracker.
As Clara drifts off to sleep at the end of the eve-
ning, the nutcracker comes to life and the two
wage a battle against the evil mouse king. They
visit the Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar
Plum Fairy and enjoy chocolate from Spain,
coffee from Arabia, tea from China and candy
canes from Russia as the fairy's subjects dance
for Clara and the nutcracker prince.
Traditionally one of the things that makes
this production unique its all-inclusive nature.
"There is a part for everybody," said TDTF
Artistic Director Leslie Dumas. "I try to match
the part to the kids that is going to match their
ability and make them look good. I don't have
a part they have to
fit into. We change
the choreography to
accommodate the
ability of the dancers.
The only qualifier to
participate is that you
have to be enrolled in
a dance class some-
where."
Previous years have
included dancers who
are also gymnasts.
TDTF leverages the
dancers' gymnastics
skills to include flips
and other feats in the
production.
Also unique to TDTF,
the organization pays
for all the costumes.
This is a significant
effort. Expensive
costume fees are a
common deterrent to
dancers participating
in recitals. "When Ann
Clark started this about
40 years ago, it was
common for women to
sew," said Dumas. "And
many of the parents
made the costumes.
We've slowly transi-
tioned into buying them."
Advance tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for
children. Tickets at the door are $15 for adults
and $5 for children. Showtimes are Friday,
Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7:30
p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 8, at 3 p.m. For more
information, or to learn about group rates, call
Leslie at 910-850-6363 or visit www.thedance-
theatreoffayetteville.org.
The Dance Theatre of Fayetteville presents 'The Nutcracker'
by STEPHANIE CRIDER
EVENTS
For many, the Christmas season is not complete without seeing a prodction of "The Nutcracker."
