Sugar Plum and Cavalier
The Highlands Ballet Company brings America's favorite holiday classic to life on the Paramount Stage. Joining HBC are guest dancers from New York City, Carolina Ballet and Chattanooga, along with numerous local artists.
"'The Nutcracker,' a story for the young and the young at heart, has become a must- see holiday favorite all across the USA," says Deanne Cole-Roberts, director of Highlands Ballet Company. "The innocent fantasyland, populated by such iconic figures as the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen, The Mouse King and The Nutcracker Prince, has struck a uniquely American chord. The Nutcracker places great faith in innocence as something idyllic and important to us all. Without a doubt, the music is the heart of the ballet and has become one of the best-known works in the world. There is an eternal enchantment in Tchaikovsky's music, which was written in 1891 especially for "The Nutcracker' ballet. It is impossible not to respond to the delicate, swelling joy of "The Waltz of the Flowers' or the grandeur of "The Land of Snow' that glistens like sunlight on frost. "The Nutcracker' speaks to our childlike sensibility taking us back to a time of innocence, a time with no worries, a time when one believes completely in Christmas.
"The first scene, a wonderfully ordered party at the Stahlbaum home, with the gleaming tree at the back of the stage, creates a heartwarming image of Christmas. From the battle of the Mice and Soldiers to the swirling Land of Snow into the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy, the ballet creates a perfectly fascinating dream world. "The Nutcracker' will surely fill children with wonderment, and adults will once again feel like children. In this respect it is exactly like Christmas itself. Whether a family tradition or simply a once-in-a-lifetime visit, your experience of this glittering classic ballet will stay with you forever and warm your spirit."
The corps de ballet, soloist and principal female roles are danced solely by Highlands Ballet Company members from across the region. This year's production has new costumes and additional effects that add to the importance of each character - from the tiniest mouse to the Sugar Plum Fairy. Carefully detailed set designs bring to life the heart and magic of "The Nutcracker."
The directors of the Highlands Ballet Company, Cole-Roberts and Deirdre Cole, have more than 70 years combined experience including dancing, directing or producing "The Nutcracker." Cole-Roberts was the first ballerina to debut the Grand pas de deux from Nutcracker in the first complete production presented in the Tri-Cities area. Cole followed suit, growing from the childhood roles of polichinelles, candy canes, mechanical doll and Clara to the coveted Sugar Plum Fairy role. A truly magical time for both artists came when Cole danced the role of Clara with her mother as the Sugar Plum Fairy.
A Land of the Sweets Reception and Boutique is planned for the lobby at the Paramount Center for the Arts during intermission. The opening night gala is Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are held Saturday, Dec. 5 at 12:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $6 for children, $12 for seniors and students and $15 for adults and may be purchased at The Paramount Center for the Arts, by calling 423-274-8920 or visiting www.theparamountcenter.com.
