Russia’s gift to the ballet world, “The Nutcracker” will make its 2013 appearance in Beckley at the Woodrow Wilson Auditorium on Friday, Dec. 6; Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. Originally produced in St. Petersburg in 1892 for the Russian aristocracy, the dance masterpiece, with music by Peter I. Tchaikovsky, has thrilled audiences for well over 100 years. Coming to Southern West Virginia in 1967, according to Jerry Rose, artistic director, the local production was performed at the Woodrow Wilson location on Park Avenue until the present facility was opened in 1989. The 2013 version features Audrey Flanagan as the pesky Fritz and Elizabeth Koh as the precocious Clara who is treated to a magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets by the Nutcracker Prince, danced by Craig Kaufman, formerly with Thodas Dance Chicago. Other guest artists include Mollie Kaufman as the Snow Queen, who began her dance studies with Dance Theatre School, also hails from Thodas Dance Chicago. The Sugar Plum, Savannah Lowery and The Cavalier, Ask La Cour, are both from the New York City Ballet while Herr Drosselmeyer will be danced by Brian Murphy of Cleveland’s Verb Ballet. Michael Crawford, formerly with Harlem Dance Theatre of New York City, Donald Laney and Aymen Robertson of the WV Dance Company round out the professional artists in the production. Admission is $15 for all ages on a first come - first served basis with no reserved seating. Advance tickets are available at Dance Theatre School, 112 Raleigh Avenue and at the door. For further information or reservations call 304-255-5684.
