All new and exciting Nutcracker production debuts in Spokane Dec. 5-7

Nov 17, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 326-3136

Spokane - The Alberta Ballet and the Spokane Symphony will premiere a new production of The Nutcracker, the most massive and lavish the ballet company has ever mounted, the first weekend in December.  Choreographed by Edmund Stripe, Canada’s new production of The Nutcracker is “the most important premiere in Alberta Ballet’s history,” said the Alberta Ballet’s Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maitre.

The debut performances of the production accompanied by the Spokane Symphony, which will be held at the INB Performing Arts Center, will be Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m.

Alberta Ballet has been performing the same version of the Nutcracker for 14 years, beginning with Ali Pourfarrokh’s interpretation in 1995. Mikko Nissinen added new choreography to the ballet in 2000, but sets and costumes remained the same. After his acclaimed creation of Alice in Wonderland in 2006, Stripe was asked by Grand-Maitre to re-choreograph The Nutcracker. Stripe’s new production will be highlighted with beautiful new costumes and sets designed by the Emmy Award-winning Zack Brown. Over the past two years, thousands of hours of work have gone into the new production of this much-loved holiday classic, which carries a $1.5 million budget.

“It was time for a new version of The Nutcracker,” said Stripe. “It’s a wonderful opportunity and a big responsibility. It’s a bit scary, but also very exciting.”

The newest production of The Nutcracker in Canada comes with some impressive statistics. More than 60 people in shops across North America have been working on this new production. Set pieces boast over 100 casters and 3,000 feet of steel. The walls used in Act Two feature 1,000 wooden rosettes and 3,000 jewels, all of which were glued on by hand.

The creator of the Nutcracker costumes and sets, Zack Brown, has designed for more than 150 dance, musical, operatic, theatre and television productions. Each costume designed by Brown for the performance is hand-worked, making them all one-of-a-kind pieces even if they are one of a group. A single costume can take up to five months to create.

Tickets for this all-new Nutcracker are on sale now. Ticket prices are $19, $26, $33 and $37 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at the Spokane Symphony Box Office, 1001 W. Sprague at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, by calling 509-624-1200, or by going to www.spokanesymphony.org. Tickets are also available at all TicketsWest outlets or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT.

Local dancers have role in new Nutcracker production

First came the audition, the excitement of selection, and then came months of rehearsal learning the all new choreography for the Edmund Stripe’s new production of Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Fifty-six dance students from Spokane and the region have been chosen to play an important part in this Spokane premiere. Peggy Tan and Doty Aaskagard of the Ballet Arts Studio are working with the young dancers.

Spokane Symphony and Alberta Ballet 2008 production dancers are from 11 different dance schools.

Dancer from the region include Jackie Lyman and Julia Lyman, Chattaroy; Bethie Baer and Madeliene Vaughn, Cheney; Grace and Jessica Basta, Colbert; LaRena Adams, Deer Park; Sierra Scott, Hayden; Taylor Oddino and Seth Klein-Tooley, Mead; and Mariah Kroeze, MedicalLake.

Dancers from Spokane include Christopher Brown, Kelly Lee Stone, Mackenzie Fagras, Nicole Senn, Sydney Skinner, Malesha Lockett, Katie Farrell, Megan Styborski, Kristen Wanke, Victoria Duke, Liz Alexianu, Henry Bancroft, Rosemary Gentle, Avery McKee, Julia Gtmeiner, Ciara Fletcher, Malinda Gilbert, Alyssa Walker, Saray Wyer, Claire Davey, Sarah Storey, Angela Boulet,  Paige Ruehl, Ruth Deaton, Kayleen Pauletto, Lili Mackin, Noah Huang, Grace Ralston, Rachel Hewett, Anna-Lisa Gmeiner, Celia Gentle, Sydney Steffan, Sierra McHenry, Elizabeth Mick, Ashley Jeromchek, Alexandrea Mick, Nora Swoboda, Madeline Brown, Tatum Eaglin, Anissa Martinez, BreAnna Ray, Cena Bean and Adrienne Bot.

SpokaneValley dancers are Shalea Mosley and Ellen Crawford.