From TOLEDO BALLET
Toledo Ballet’s 82nd performance of ‘The Nutcracker’ will return to the Stranahan Stage this December. Presented by Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, Toledo Ballet’s 2022 “Nutcracker” will span four performances on Friday, Dec. 9 at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. After two years of pandemic-related hiatus, The Toledo Symphony Orchestra will be performing Tchaikovsky’s score live and both Saturday performances will be livestreamed.
“My favorite feeling in the world is the very first time I walk into a theater and breathe in the air, take in the sounds of the symphony, and see the costumes, scenery, and sets,” says newly appointed Artistic Director and Head of Curriculum, Eric Otto. “This is when we start to see the production come alive and I feel like I’m finally home.”
In addition to the return of live music performed by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alain Trudel, this year’s production will feature fresh choreography by international principal dancer Eris Nezha. “I’m very excited to work with our choreographer, Eris Nezha,” continues Otto. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and this year’s ‘Nutcracker’ will be new and exciting with some fun new additions.”
Nezha, who resides in Los Angeles, has danced all over the world with companies such as L.A. Ballet, La Scala, and Boston Ballet among many others. He first began working on Toledo Ballet’s “Nutcracker” back in February. His version remains true to E.T.A Hoffman’s original story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” and Tchaikovsky’s score. Having spent weeks working with Toledo Ballet dancers, his choreography highlights the skills and talents of the students. Audiences can expect to see a few new characters in the party scene and a more mature Clara, the ballet’s main character.
Hayden Graham (Perrysburg) reprises her role of Clara (Saturday, December 10 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, December 11 at 2 p.m.) and describes how this year’s role is different. “Clara is more involved and I love that aspect. She feels more grown up and it makes the role feel more mature. That’s exciting for me because it’s different and more difficult than last year.” Making her debut as Clara (Friday, Dec. 9 at 11am; Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7pm) is Sophia Black who says she is “most looking forward to dancing for the amazing community we have right now, dancing on stage with all my friends, and the new choreography that has been fitted to all of us.”
“It’s amazing to see the progress these dancers have made over the last year,” says Nezha. “You can see and feel their hard work and commitment and I’m excited to finally see them on stage.”
Toledo Ballet’s “Nutcracker” is a long-standing holiday tradition that tells the magical story of a young girl, Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and their adventures with toy soldiers, mice, dancing snowflakes, and a Sugar Plum Fairy in the dazzling Land of Sweets.
First performed eighty-two years ago, Toledo Ballet’s “Nutcracker” holds the record of the longest running annual production in North America. The late Marie Bollinger-Vogt, Founder and Artistic Director Emerita of Toledo Ballet, procured parts of Tchaikovsky’s score from Russia to stage her first production. Toledo Ballet continues to honor her memory to this day with every “Nutcracker” performance.
For the first time since the inception of Toledo Ballet’s Adaptive Dance program in 2009, Avin Hatch, a student from the program will share the stage all her peers at Toledo Ballet. “This year’s ‘Nutcracker’ will be different in many ways,” says Toledo Ballet faculty and founder of the Adaptive Dancer Program, Ann Heckler. “For the first time, we have a truly inclusive cast. Our cast represents our school, which represents our community.”
Donna Hatch, Avin’s mom says, “We are beyond excited to see Avin on stage – this is a really big deal. We are so thankful to Eric Otto for being open minded and giving Avin the opportunity to showcase her abilities. There is no better advocate than Ann (Heckler) who knew that Avin is capable of performing in ‘Nutcracker.’”
Joining Avin and the rest of the cast is non-ambulatory dancer DeMarco Sleeper, a member of the Dancing Wheels Company in Cleveland. Featured in Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch in 2021, DeMarco will dance alongside Toledo Ballet alumna McKenzie Beaverson, also a company member of Dancing Wheels. Marissa Thomas, Associate Artist and Teaching Artist of the South Chicago Dance Theatre and Tour Manager for the Dancing Wheels Company & School, will join McKenzie and DeMarco.
Additional Toledo Ballet alumnae being featured include Kendra Beaverson (The Joyce Dalton Baton and Dance Studio), Sabrina Bourell (The Washington Ballet), Gwenivere Durand (Toledo Ballet), Kathleen Bostleman (New York, NY).
The principal guest artist roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier will be danced by international guest artists Katia Raj and Gustavo Ramirez. Ms. Raj began her training at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC and then danced with Gelsey Kirkland Ballet in New York City. She danced alongside Misty Copland in the Open World Dance Foundation’s benefit performance of Cinderella. Mr. Ramirez is principal dancer at Ballet Fantastique in Eugene, Oregon. Originally from Columbia, Mr. Ramirez has danced a number of principal roles and performed with The American Ballet Theatre and Mikhailovsky Ballet Theater.
As is tradition at Toledo Ballet, the iconic role of Mother Ginger, traditionally performed by a man, will spotlight four community leaders including Paul W. Favorite, Chief Operating Officer of Shumaker, Loop, & Kendrick (Presenting Sponsor for Toledo Ballet’s 82nd Nutcracker; Saturday, December 10 at 7pm); Stuart James, Executive Director of The Ability Center (Sunday, December 11 at 2pm); Jason Kucsma, Executive Director and Fiscal Officer of Toledo Lucas County Public Library (Saturday, December 10 at 2pm); Timothy Van Tuinen, Member at MacMillan, Sobanski, & Todd, LLC (Friday, December 9 at 11am).
HOW TO ATTEND:
What: Toledo Ballet’s 82nd “Nutcracker” presented by Shumaker
When: (Friday, December 9 at 11am – SOLD OUT)Saturday, December 10 at 2pm and 7pm; Sunday, December 11 at 2pm
Where: Stranahan Theater
Cost: $26-$99
More info: Visit toledoballet.com, stop by the TAPA Box Office located at 1838 Parkwood Avenue, or call 419.246.8000, Monday-Friday, 9-5PM
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE:
What: Toledo Ballet’s 82nd “Nutcracker”presented by Shumaker
When: Saturday, December 10 at 2pm and 7pm
Where: TAPA Streaming
Cost: $34.99
More info: Visit toledoballet.com or stream.artstoledo.com
