FACES & PLACES
AROUND TOWN NOVEMBER 2006

A Mesmerizing Holiday Tradition: The Nutcracker Ballet
By Megan Wetzel

I’m sitting in front of the fireplace, curled up with a soft blanket, waiting patiently for the story to begin. The wind outside is cold but the atmosphere inside is warm as I sip my hot apple cider. Soon I will be enthralled and captivated by the perfect merging of orchestral music and floating ballerinas as they take me on a magical holiday adventure. With the Christmas tree lights casting a dim shadow in the room, I have settled in to watch one of my favorite ballets, "The Nutcracker."

"The Nutcracker" Ballet is over 100 years old. It was first presented at the Mayinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 17, 1892. The famous Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky was commissioned by the renowned choreographer Marius Petipa to compose a ballet score based on Alexandre Dumas’s adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.”

The San Francisco Ballet Company was the first company to perform "The Nutcracker" in the United States. Their 1944 production was directed by William Christensen. In 1954, a master choreographer named George Balanchine mounted a production of "The Nutcracker" for the New York City Ballet. It is this production that paved the way for the popularity of "The Nutcracker" and its status as a holiday tradition. In fact, many of the versions of "The Nutcracker" we see performed today are based on the version created by George Balanchine.

"The Nutcracker" story is magical and extremely entertaining for the entire family. Clara and her friends promise to take you on an enchanting voyage through The Land of the Sweets. During her voyage, she comes upon Magical Mice, Giant Rats, Marching Soldiers, Swirling Snow Flakes and Waltzing Flowers.

The people who live in the Lambertville/New Hope/Princeton region are blessed to have close by a yearly live performance of "The Nutcracker" as performed by Lambertvlle, NJ - based Roxey Ballet.

Roxey Ballet is a non-profit, American and contemporary ballet company founded in 1994 by Mark and Melissa Roxey. They are dedicated to bringing the world of dance, to a wide audience. The Roxey Ballet's Nutcracker is made up of over 150 professional and pre professional dancers and actors from throughout NJ and PA and is a joyous and magical way to begin the holiday season. The annual event has been a favorite holiday tradition of area residents and holiday visitors for the last 10 years. The show provides a wonderful introduction to ballet for children of all ages. Even the smallest children are mesmerized by the beautiful classical music, costumes, special effects and classical ballet movements. Children should plan to bring their holiday list because each year the Roxey Ballet receives a special visit from the Jolly Elf and his friends!

Performances are on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm and on Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 1:00pm and 10:00am at the Villa Victoria Theater located at 376 West Upper Ferry Road in West Trenton, NJ. Please note there will be a special Student Performance on Monday, November 27, 2006.

Visit www.roxeyballet.com for more information!