Photo submitted Pictured from left to right are Grace Sears as Sugar Plum Fairy, Alia Ott as Clara (seated), Anna Menarchek as Sugar Plum Fairy, Guest Artist Danny Bayer as Herr Drosselmeyer.
Prepared to wow with the magic of the holiday classic, the Mid-Ohio Valley Ballet Company is pulling out all of the stops for its performances today and next week.
"We have a professional company of adult dancers, a guest artist and several juniors and seniors in high school dancing in The Nutcracker this year plus our children in supplemental roles," said Suzie Gunter, head of the company and choreographer.
The youngest dancer in the show is 8-year-old Meredith Craig of Parkersburg, who plays the youngest angel in the iconic Christmas production.
"My favorite part is everything, almost," laughed Craig. "All of the dancers are so pretty, and I love to watch all of Mom's cool tricks. But I love the math too–we have to do so much counting to know when we go up, come in, hold for six seconds, etc."
Craig is the youngest of her family to perform in the tradition, following in the footsteps of both her older sister, Caolinn Craig, 12, who plays a friend of Clara, a soldier in the battle scene and a snowflake; and her mother Jolene Troisi, who plays a mom in the party scene, a coffee dancer and the snow queen.
Photo submitted The nutcracker prince leads the charge against the mouse queen as their followers dance about them in the Mid-Ohio Valley Ballet Company's annual performance of "The Nutcracker."
"That's how it is in a small company, I danced with the Gunters in high school and loved it–we had lots of grants to travel as a company," said Troisi. "Now I teach there and perform with the company… But it's really fun this year, and my 12-year-old is rehearsing with me and all of us getting to be in this together–it's a tradition we want to continue."
"Plus, ballet has all of the motions to show expressions with your hands," added Craig.
Gunter will again return to the stage this year as Mrs. Stahlbaum–a tradition of nearly 40 years with the company.
"The major difference between a ballet and other performances you see in a theater is we don't talk, our dancers' pantomime," she explained.
Troisi's boyfriend Josh Channell, of Parkersburg, is also the creator of the traditional show's new addition this year after working for four years on the production's technical crew.
"It's the first time we'll have an all-hydraulic lifted Christmas tree," added Gunter. "It will grow by magic at its debut at Marietta High School."
The classic's oldest performer is Danny Bayer, 58, of Vienna, who, while not a dancer, has enjoyed working with the ballerinas in the company as not only a well-known local thespian but also a retired schoolteacher.
"I play the role of Drosselmeyer who brings the nutcracker to a party and gives it to Clara, the little girl at the party," explained Bayer. "But he's kind of a magical guy, or is he?"
Bayer said the greatest challenge of rehearsing the production has not been the mixture of ages but of not speaking in his role.
"But it's beautiful to watch," he said. "And my sister has never been to a ballet–I'm excited for her to come. It's a wonderful introduction to ballet, it's easy to follow."
For those who have never seen a ballet, Gunter said not to worry, and please feel welcome.
"We'd love for people to come dressed up–that's exciting for us, but not a requirement," said Gunter.
And Craig added, the production is fun for both genders.
"We actually have a bunch of boys in the show," said the 8-year-old. "It's not just for girls, it's boys, too."
The first production begins tonight at 7:30 in the Marietta High School Auditorium.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children and senior citizens and can be purchased at the door.
Janelle Patterson can be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com.
If you go:
• What: Mid-Ohio Valley Ballet Company annual performance of "The Nutcracker."
• Dates:
• Today: 7:30 p.m. at the Marietta High School Auditorium.
• Dec. 13: 7:30 p.m. at the Blennerhassett School Auditorium.
• Dec. 14: 7 p.m. at the Ripley High School Auditorium.
• Tickets: $12 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and children.
• To purchase tickets by credit card visit MOVB Studios at 1311 Ann St. Parkersburg, during box office hours: Tuesday 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Or purchase with cash at the door, or during box office hours Thursdays 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Source: MOV Ballet.
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