GREENFIELD — For many, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without taking in a holiday ballet. Next weekend, two local companies present their annual fare.
Wilkerson Dance
offers ‘Nutcracker’
Wilkerson Dance offers two for the price of one with its “Nutcracker and Holiday Spectacular,” at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 9 in the auditorium at Greenfield-Central High School, 810 N. Broadway.
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The performance begins with an abridged version of “The Nutcracker,” but company director Debbie Wilkerson assures us all the highlights will be there.
“Our ballet classes do a short but complete version of “The Nutcracker” story with all the characters, costumes and sets,” Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson’s company bursts with talent this year as evidenced by a double-casting of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Seniors Kenzie Polster and Abby Phillips share the honors, with Polster performing in the 1 p.m. show and Phillips dancing the role for the 5 p.m. performance. The two alternately share a spot opposite senior Logan Uitermarkt — who also dances the role of the Prince — in the Arabian dance as well.
The ever-increasing size of Wilkerson’s company has resulted in the hiring of a full-time costumer. Ann Blagburn, a former dance teacher, has taken on the role of full-time costumer, in charge of the 500+plus costumes for more than 300 dancers.
The two-hour production will conclude with a contemporary dance performed to Jeff Buckley’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Tickets are available for $10 in advance by calling (317) 462-1673 or emailing [email protected]. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the day of the performance for $11.
Company presents ‘Little Things’
Dance East Ballet Company will present its original ballet, “Little Things,” at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 at the H.J. Ricks Centre for the Arts, 122 W. Main St.
“Little Things,” now in its sixth year under the direction of Dana Hart, is the story of a young girl, Sophia, who travels by train with her family to visit their grandmother. Sophia receives a special gift that goes missing in the night. She searches for it and becomes trapped in a secret room behind the bookcase, where she meets a variety of characters who lead her on a magical adventure.
Each year, Hart and company introduce something new into the ballet. This year will see the arrival of the Ruby Angel of Strength danced by 15-year old Tricia Schneider and Paige Spegal, 15, as the Emerald Angel of Wisdom.
The angels have been in the story all along, represented by dancer figures on the mantel at her grandmother’s house, but this is the first year they have been incorporated into the choreography, Hart explained.
“They represent the qualities of strength and wisdom that Sophia must find within herself when she finds herself in a difficult situation in the secret room,” Hart said.
The performance also features new costumes for the guardian angels and new masks for the Gremlin dance created by artist Chris Sickels.
Tickets for “Little Things” are $10 for adults and $6 for ages 12 and under available at the studio, 28 N. East St. or at the door before the performance.
