“The Nutcracker” is a timeless classic ballet shows and anticipation for its return swells every holiday season. More than 100,000 people sit in seats to watch the production around the holidays every year, according to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Russia.
Following the story of Clara, a young girl who’s gifted a nutcracker doll for Christmas, the musical leads the girl on a magical adventure with toy soldiers, an evil mouse king and a sweet fairy.
Villagers will have multiple chances to enjoy it as various organizations are presenting the show in the coming weeks.
Dance Alive National Ballet Brings Nutcracker to LifeFor some, the magic of “The Nutcracker” never gets old.
That is true for Kim Tuttle, artist director of the Dance Alive National Ballet company based in Gainesville.
Tuttle has worked as the director for the company’s showing of the Nutcracker for 40 of the last 60 years.
This year, the company will be performing from Dec. 15 through Dec. 17 at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St, Ocala. There will be two showing on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. The Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 show will begin at 7 p.m.
Tuttle, who has been dancing since she was three, said that because of her experience in high instructor roles — including the Ballet Mistress for the Zurich Ballet — she can bring out the best in the dancers and has the ballet’s production down to a science.
“It’s about six weeks of heavy-duty work with the dancers. Costumes are done about a year in advance to give time with fitting and making corrections. Bookings are made about two years in advance,” Tuttle said. “It’s quite a bit of work that goes into it before hand.”
For Dance Alive’s Nutcracker show, about 50 total dancers and performers grace the stage ranging from ages 10 and up, working with students of Pofahl Studios, the official school of Dance Alive National Ballet.
Tuttle said it is important for everyone to be able to pull their weight and be cohesive.
“The children have to remember that this is a professional performance. They have to keep up the energy level and remember they are performing for an audience,” Tuttle said. “It’s important that they focus, can listen and take direction well.”
After nailing down the technical knowledge needed to get through a performance, students have to remember the joy they get from dancing.
“I have philosophy that a love of dance is something that we all have in us. Professional dancers are the same way. They want to and love to dance; I encourage them to reveal that to the audience. With all of my years of experience, I know that’s the one thing that lasts… the love of dance,” she said.
By embracing their love of dance while on stage, Tuttle said that the performers easily transfer that energy to the audience, making them feel the Christmas joy by the end of the show.
“We are putting on a very warm version of The Nutcracker. Ours isn’t stiff, it will make the audience feel joy. Even the music, it just makes you happy. What’s not to like,” Tuttle said.
Tickets for the show range from $10 to $40. To purchase tickets or learn more information, visit reillyartscenter.com or dancealive.org.
Mount Dora School of Ballet Hosts Annual Nutcracker ShowThe Mount Dora School of Ballet has been teaching traditional Russian ballet to students in Lake County since 2002.
The school will present its annual performance of “The Nutcracker” at 3 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the Lakeside Inn, 100 North Alexander St., Mount Dora.
Around 81 students, ages 7 to 18, will be on stage for the show.
With auditions being in August, rehearsals starting in October, and dancers spending countless hours in the studio — Katelin Clark, of the children’s division, feels that the audience will be impressed with how “incredibly talented” the students are.
“The girls work so hard. They are always here doing extra work and going above and beyond for the studio,” Clark said.
Tickets for the show range from $20 to $45. To purchase tickets for the show, call 352-357-5536 or email mdsb@mountdoraschoolofballet.com
Ocala Candlelight ConcertListening to a live Listeso String Quartet can be a magical experience.
Doing it with hundreds of lit candles glowing in the background can make the magic multi-sensory and serene.
Guests will be able to come see Ocala light up to the tune of Christmas carols during the upcoming “Candlelight: Holiday Special Featuring ‘The Nutcracker’ and More” concert.
As the candles glow, the fingers of the Listeso String Quartet will go with the tune of favorites like “O Holy Night” or “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”
The 60-minute show will be on Dec. 21 with showings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the show, visit https ocalamarion.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
