Full Article from Greenville Journal
For dance fans, Greenville offers no fewer than three productions of the beloved ballet “The Nutcracker,” about a young woman, Clara, who journeys to a magical land.
Each staging is different, but all three ballet companies go all out, putting scores of dancers on stage and bringing to town guest soloists from the world’s major ballet companies.
International Ballet
First to pirouette onto stage will be the International Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 6-8 at the Peace Center.
The staging features two returning guest artists: Cara Marie Gary of the Joffrey Ballet and Taras Domitro, formerly with the San Francisco Ballet.
Gary is one of International Ballet’s success stories: Born in Belton, Gary received her training at International Ballet and now dances with one of the world’s top companies, the Chicago-based Joffrey Ballet.
International Ballet, with 65 dancers on stage, collaborates in this production with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Edvard Tchivzhel, and a 20-voice choir as well.
Sebastian Binet, a guest dancer with International Ballet this season, will handle several dazzling solos in this staging.
“We’ve got a very strong soloist cast,” said Lena Forster, president and founder of International Ballet.
With choreography by Ukrainian-born Vlada Kysselova (artistic director of International Ballet) and Hennadii Bespechnyi, the production traces its roots back to Russian and Ukrainian dance tradition.
The costumes and sets were created at the opera house in Kiev.
“The costumes are just stunning,” Forster said.
If you go
- What: International Ballet: “The Nutcracker”
- When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7; 3 p.m. Dec. 8
- Where: Peace Center
- Tickets: $16.20-$72
Carolina Ballet Theatre
Guest artists for Carolina Ballet Theatre’s “The Nutcracker” will be Herman Cornejo, a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, and Oksana Maslova, a principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet.
“The Nutcracker” offers “everything that makes the holiday season special,” said Anita Pacylowski, CBT associate artistic director.
CBT’s “Nutcracker,” Dec. 13-14 at the Peace Center, is subtitled “Once Upon a Time in Greenville” and it takes place in a magical land called, you guessed it, Greenville.
The sets spotlight the Liberty Bridge, Main Street and the Shoeless Joe Jackson statue, among other Greenville sights. Some dancers portray Greenville’s Mice on Main.
“It brings in iconic landmarks in Greenville,” Pacylowski said.
The choreography is by Hernan Justo, CBT’s artistic director who will celebrate his 20th anniversary with the company next year.
More than 130 dancers will participate in the production — though all dancers are not on stage at the same time.
CBT’s youngest dancers, playing little angels, are 5 years old.
If you go
- What: Carolina Ballet Theatre: “The Nutcracker: Once Upon a Time in Greenville”
- When: 7 p.m. Dec. 13-14; 2 p.m. Dec. 14
- Where: Peace Center
- Tickets: $20-$55
- Info: 864-467-3000 or www.peacecenter.org
Greenville Ballet
It’s the 35th year for the longest-established “Nutcracker” in Greenville.
About 90 dancers will be on stage for Greenville Ballet’s “The Nutcracker,” 3 p.m. Dec. 14 at McAlister Auditorium on the campus of Furman University.
The production will feature two stars of the Dance Theatre of Harlem: Choong Hoon Lee and Crystal Serrano. In addition, Gavin Stewart, founder of the Stewart/Owen Dance in North Carolina, will appear as a soloist.
Choreography is by Andrew Kuharsky, director of Greenville Ballet, with additional choreography by Merry Kuharsky, co-director of Greenville Ballet. The staging is inspired by the choreography of George Balanchine for the New York City Ballet.
“It’s a traditional, beautifully choreographed staging, and it’s got the most ornate and beautiful sets,” said Merry Kuharsky. “It’s a warm, charming story that really appeals to families.”
A special performance for school groups is sold out, but tickets are available for the Dec. 14 performance.
If you go
- What: Greenville Ballet: “The Nutcracker”
- When: 3 p.m. Dec. 14
- Where: McAlister Auditorium, Furman University
- Tickets: $22-$26
- Info: Tickets available at the Timmons Area box office (864-294-3099), the Greenville Ballet School and through ticketmaster.com.
