Festival
Ballet Theatre to present ‘Nutcracker’
By Jack Schneider
On-line Forty-Niner
Holiday
magic will soon come to the Carpenter Performing
Arts Center as the Festival Ballet Theatre
presents its 14th annual production of Tchaikovsky’s
“The Nutcracker.”
What makes this version so unique is that
it is one of the few productions nationwide
featuring an orchestra, of the Long Beach
State Symphony, instead of a tape, Michelle
Roberge of the Carpenter Center said.
This marks the fourth year the Festival
Ballet Theatre and the Long Beach State
Orchestra have participated in “The Nutcracker.”
“The Nutcracker” tells the story of a young
girl named Clara along with her godfather
Herr Drosselmeyer and the transformation
of a holiday festival into an exciting adventure.
Much of the action not only takes place
on the stage, but up in the air as well.
“There are a lot of effects taking place
in the air including flying angels,” said
Sawla Rizkalla, the artistic director of
the Festival Ballet Theatre.
This year’s cast will feature Marcelo Gomes
and Gennadi Saveliev from American Ballet
Theatre along with Richard Rintoul, conducting
the Long Beach State Symphony Orchestra.
Rintoul said that the money received from
the Festival Ballet Theatre goes to the
students’ scholarship.
Other performers include Disney 2001 Creativity
Award Scholarship recipient Elizabeth Chasteler
playing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy
and former American Ballet Theater dancer
Griff Braun playing the role of Cavalier.
Rizkalla said that the show consists of
old and new dancers many returning for another
season.
The sets are designed by Pro Scenery Company
and the costumes are made by Professor Donna
Dickens from Orange Coast College.
“I think that the ballets we have are very
exciting,” Rizkalla said. “It’s one
of the best quality of dancers for this
performance.”
Rintoul said that this year’s orchestra
contains 15 percent new members and requiring
for two and a half weeks of practice.
While the sets and ballet will dazzle audiences,
the Long Beach State Orchestra will be ready
to harmonize the crowd.
“This year includes a full symphony of 75
members,” Rintoul said “There are great
acoustics in the theater.”
The Nutcracker” will take place Dec. 7 at
8 p.m. and Dec. 8th at 2 p.m.
For more information those interested can
call (562) 985-7000.
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