Ninth annual holiday performances of The Nutcracker
The Shepherdstown School of Dance will take the stage at Shepherd University’s Frank Arts Center in Shepherdstown Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13, for its ninth full-length annual production of “The Nutcracker” ballet. With three performances scheduled, the curtain will rise at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 13.
The show will feature vibrant dancing to complement the traditional Tchaikovsky score. Select school parents and other community members will join students from the Shepherdstown School of Dance during the party scene, making this annual holiday tradition a family affair. “Party parents” will include Sandy Sponaugle and Michael Santa Barbara as the Stahlbaum’s, Katherine Ross and Homer Speaker, Sandi Wilcox and Steve Cifala, Stacey and Jack Shaw, Rachel Summer and David Hammer and Emily Romine. Joe Yates will return to the stage as the mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer.
Professional dancer Andrew Wingert will join the cast as the Cavalier to the Sugar Plum Fairy. Wingert is currently embarking on his first season with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Prior to working with the Kennedy Center, Wingert has studied at the Pontecorvo Ballet, the Cincinnati Ballet Academy and concluded his training at the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II program.
“Bringing in a professional dancer to fill the role of Cavalier to the Sugar Plum Fairy adds another layer to an already rich production. It provides our students the opportunity to witness the result of years of dedication,” said Emily Romine, artistic director. “Not to mention it’s quite a treat for the audience.”
Tickets are on sale now at www.shepherdstownschoolofdance.com and at Encore Apparel in Motion, located at 108 East Washington Street in Shepherdstown. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door.
For more information, please call 304-886-8398, 304-264-1832 or visit www.shepherdstownschoolofdance.com.