Production to Showcase Special Guest Artists
By Jana Marcus, SC Ballet Theatre Communications
The production, now celebrating its 12th year, has quickly become a beloved Santa Cruz tradition with over 70 dancers, a live 51-piece orchestra conducted by Pamela Martin and special guest stars.
This holiday classic, based on a story by E. T. A. Hoffmann, tells the tale of young Clara who receives the gift of a nutcracker from her mysterious uncle, and is swept into a world filled with magic and sweets.
The nutcracker comes to life as a prince, and together they embark on a thrilling adventure, first encountering the dreadful rat king, and journeying through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. A holiday celebration to share with the whole family, experience the dancing toys, mischievous mice, waltzing flowers and sparkling snowflakes all dancing to Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score performed by The Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre Orchestra.
Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre has produced many top-notch dancers now performing in professional companies. Alumni returning to Santa Cruz as guest stars in this year’s production include Melody Mennite Walsh, principal dancer with the Houston Ballet, Lauryn Winterhalder and her partner Richard Smith, of the Sacramento Ballet, and Gabriel Williams, formerly of the Sacramento Ballet and Trey McIntyre Project, and a soloist and principal with New York Theatre Ballet, Madison Ballet and many other companies.
“Sweet Treats” ticket holders will receive a backstage tour, meet, greet and photo opportunities with their favorite Nutcracker characters, a scrumptious Pacific Cookie Company cookie, and their very own Nutcracker inspired ornament.
Performed by countless ballet companies since the 1940s, The Nutcracker continues to this day to be a holiday tradition for the entire family. The Nutcracker is the perfect way to introduce children, and people of all ages, to the power and beauty of classical dance. Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score and Robert Kelley’s theatrical staging combine to create a magical experience that is sure to be the sweetest part of your holidays!
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Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre’s
The Nutcracker
SC Civic Auditorium, 307 Church Street, Downtown Santa Cruz
Friday, Dec 19 – 8 p.m.
starring Lauryn Winterhalder
Saturday, Dec 20 – 1 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.
starring Melody Mennite Walsh
Sunday, Dec 21 – 1 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.
starring Melody Mennite Walsh
Tickets: $10 – $55 • 831-420-5260 or www.santacruztickets.com
Tickets Make Great gifts!
“Nutcracker Sweet Treats” available prior to 1 p.m. performances only. Additional charge with ticket purchase. Please arrive at the Civic by 11:30 AM.
Guest Performers
She was promoted to Soloist in 2005 and to Principal Dancer in 2008. In 2007, Melody was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine as one of their annual 25-to-Watch.
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Lauryn Winterhalder is from Santa Cruz where her training focusing on classical ballet at The Studio School of Classical Ballet with Diane Cypher and Robert Kelley and as a dancer with Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre. Local audiences will remember Lauryn in leading roles, most notably as the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker, Emily in Our Town, Peasant Pas de Deux and Zulma in Giselle and in many roles created for her by Robert Kelley. She graduated to traineeships with Pacific Northwest Ballet and Cincinnati Ballet. Lauryn has danced with Sacramento Ballet since 2010.
Richard Smith was born in Sydney, Australia and trained at La Vive Classique and the Australian Ballet School. He has danced with Urban Ballet Theatre, Australian Ballet, Manhattan Youth Ballet, and has been a dancer with Sacramento Ballet since 2008.
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Maestro Pamela Martin comes to Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre with many years of experience working with orchestras and dance companies. For four years she was the staff conductor for Ballet San Jose (formerly Cleveland Ballet) where she conducted Swan Lake, Coppelia, and The Nutcracker.
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Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the community and creating opportunities for young artists through the advancement of the art of ballet. Co-Artistic Directors Robert Kelley and Diane Cypher have many years of experience as professional dancers, instructors, choreographers and directors. In addition by teaching work ethics, organization, self-confidence and social skills, they help build leaders in our dancers. Dancers are chosen by open audition annually in August.
