News Release
For Immediate Release
Steven Brown
N.C. Dance Theatre adds a sprinkling of newcomers amid the familiar faces as it brings back its annual “Nutcracker.”
The beloved ballet's jumping-off point is a Christmas gift to a young girl, and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's choreography is in part a gift to budding dancers. They get to play leading roles – beginning with that of Clara, recipient of the nutcracker that helps send her off to fantasyland. This year's cast introduces a new Clara: 13-year-old Jasmine Perry, a student at NCDT's school and Randolph Middle School.
During the scene in which her role reaches its peak – dancing to a surge of Tchaikovsky melody with the Snow Queen and Cavalier – Jasmine joined in gracefully with Anna Gerberich and Sasha Janes at Thursday's dress rehearsal. While 14-year-old Roderick Pitts of the Northwest School of the Arts was playing a brat, Clara's brother Fritz, Roderick showed that Fritz could also play nice when it was time for the formal dance with the other children at the Christmas party.
Where Bonnefoux really gives the pros the spotlight is in the Act 2 showpieces. The Spanish Dance introduces Mayu Tanigaito, a new member of NCDT 2, who blended flashiness and femininity in Thursday's rehearsal. Another new NCDT 2 dancer, Carolina Rendon Okolova, has several solo turns including the Chinese Dance, whose airiness suited her long, slender arms Thursday.
“Nutcracker” also brings better-known dancers back to roles they've played in the past – from Randolph Ward as the whirling toy soldier in Act 1 to Traci Gilchrest as the Sugar Plum Fairy reigning over Act 2.
The dress rehearsal showed that Ward's fleetness and Gilchrest's sparkle are intact. And when Gerberich, who will play the Sugar Plum Fairy in some performances, capped off the rehearsal night with her own run-through of the climactic scene, she brought Bonnefoux's choreography a tenderness of her own.
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North Carolina Dance Theatre has established itself as one of America’s premier dance companies. Led by internationally acclaimed President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, NC Dance Theatre is based on strong dancers, high energy and a versatile repertoire that ranges from classical ballet to bold contemporary works. NC Dance Theatre School of Dance parallels the professional company’s tradition of excellence.
North Carolina Dance Theatre is supported, in part, with operating support by the Arts & Science Council. Dance Theatre is also supported by individuals, corporations, and local and national foundations; the North Carolina Arts Council; ArtsTeach; and the National Endowment for the Arts.
To find out more about NC Dance Theatre visit ncdance.org.
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