12.24
Ballet West gave ticket buyers a wonderful Christmas gift today. In addition to superb dancing today’s performance was a “Nutty Nutcracker”. From in front of the main curtain Adam Sklute warned the audience that there would be occasional surprises, most of them subtle some not so subtle. Ballet West artists, orchestra members and stage/prop/wardrobe crew had a blast and the audience approved! We can’t wait until next year!
Some backstage, performance and post performance pictures for you:
Beau Pearson as Waldo and Peggy Dolkas as a Mirliton with an oversized hat.
Jennifer Robinson as a violin playing Mirliton, Christopher Sellars as an out of shape Russian dancers and Aaron Orlowski whipping him into shape.
Robert Goodman watches Jason Chinea as the Nutcracker Prince who judges Act II Divertissement and Silver Barkes was a Bumble Bee in the Waltz of the Flowers.
There were three Sugar Plum Fairies – Annie Brenemen, Katherine Lawrence, Christiana Bennett- and three Cavaliers. Maestro Kern had the best intermission ever!
The audience instantly lept to their feet!
Christopher Sellars, Romi Beppu and guest artist Reyneris Reyes. The Fenz Beauties!
Jennifer Robinson, Aimee Dunsmore with Trixie, and Jaqueline Straughan. Allison DeBona with her sweetheart Jonathan Gupta.
Christopher Sellars and Heather Thackeray. Kate Crews and Linsey Reece.
Artistic Director Adam Sklute with his Dad John. Ballet West II Artist Whitney Huell.
Zoe, daughter of Bruce Caldwell and a future Sugar Plum Fairy!
-Mark
Thank you so much for all of the hard work combined with grace and humor that made a wonderful Nutcracker season. I hope you know that those of us sitting in the audience continue to marvel at each and every dancer. You made it look so easy when it was not. You just floated across the stage and we were mesmerized.
Every performance was enhanced by gorgeous costumes, perfect lighting and the three times I saw the Nutcracker (I have a child in D cast), seamless set transitions. I appreciated the way my son was treated by the adult dancers (he raved on and on about all of you) and most of all by Katie S. And all of this happens in my own backyard in Salt Lake City!
I wish you could know that something you might view as a little run of the mill by now, ignites love for the ballet each year in new children and families. My child was caught up last year and as a result, quit all sports to dance ballet all year long. Because of the Nutcracker last year, you converted our new family to the ballet. I’ll bet you converted quite a few this year as well. We can’t wait to see you in Madame Butterfly.
Thank you all.
Hey! These are last year’s pics of Nutty Nutcracker! What are you trying to pull? (Tee hee. loves!)