The Beth Fowler Dance Company will bring its 22nd annual production of the holiday classic ballet The Nutcracker to the stage of DeKalb’s Egyptian Theater this Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m. Additional performances will be presented at St. Charles North High School on Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 p.m.
Though The Nutcracker was first performed in Russia in 1892 to Tchaikovsky’s music and tells a German story written by a Frenchman, it has evolved through the years into a favorite beloved American ballet. Every year, patrons of all ages fall in love with the story told thru dance when they see the annual Christmas productions in theaters or on TV.
In a recent interview, Artistic Director Beth Fowler commented on the tradition built locally by the Company’s annual productions of the famous Christmas classic. “Favorite memories magically happen with each production of The Nutcracker. Every year families come back to the theater to see this beautiful holiday classic come to life. It has become a holiday tradition for their families that gets everyone in the holiday spirit.”
The ballet tells the story of young Clara receiving a nutcracker toy soldier at her family’s Christmas Eve party. That night in Clara’s dream, the Nutcracker comes to life and defeats the Rat King in a midnight battle. He is transformed into a prince and escorts Clara on a dreamy magical adventure thru the snowy forest to the Land of the Sweets.
Featured Company dancers are Lindsey Haugen of St. Charles as Clara; Haly Young of Genoa as the Sugar Plum Fairy; Becky Baert of Genoa as the Rat King; Hannah Whitten of Genoa as the Rose Queen and Anna Nolazco of West Chicago as the Snow Queen. Guest artist Ryan Titnen of Chicago and a graduate of the NIU dance program performs as the Snow King.
Double cast as the Nutcracker Prince/Cavalier are guest artists Wade Tischhauser of Chicago and Dylan Slamka of South Milwaukee, WI. Slamka will perform the role in the DeKalb productions and also performs with the Dance Art Center in Mount Pleasant, WI. Wade Tischhauser has performed many roles with the Beth Fowler School of Dance, and will be in the St. Charles productions.
Guest artist Larry Pool of Rockford will perform as the Arabian King with Beth Fowler as the Arabian King. Herr Drosselmeyer, Clara’s toymaker godfather, will be portrayed by Philip Masterson of Rockford. Other members of the large cast include Company soloists and students from the Beth Fowler School of Dance in the children’s roles.
Choreography is by Artistic Director Beth Fowler, assisted by Hannah Bohn and Brooke Fowler. Original choreography in the grand pas de deux is by Lev Ivanov.
Reserved seating for the DeKalb production is available at www.egyptiantheatre.org or call 815-758-1225. General admission tickets for the St. Charles production are available at www.BethFowlerSchoolofDance.com or call 630-945-3344.
Special early bird ticket prices are $15 to $25 thru November. After December 1 prices will be $17 to $27. Every child’s ticket includes a back stage pass to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends. There will be an opportunity to take a photo which will create a lasting memory for families. Learn more about Beth Fowler School of Dance at their website now!
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