Ballet Memphis returns to dance Nutcracker with Spokane Symphony

Dec 8, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow at 464-7071

For over three decades, the Spokane Symphony’s presentation of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet has been an integral part of December’s festivities for families throughout the region. Each year, two and three generations of families share the magical experience during the holiday season. This year’s production will feature Ballet Memphis returning to dance The Nutcracker with 70 local young dancers at the INB Performing Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m.  

The nationally recognized Ballet Memphis was invited to return to Spokane to reprise their outstanding performance last year that met both the high level of artistic excellence required by the Spokane Symphony and thrilled local audiences.Their production of The Nutcracker was a sure crowd pleaser with its splendid costumes and scenery, and colorful characters, and outstanding dance that blended the best of classical and modern dance. This is production enthralled even the most reluctant of viewers – including adolescent boys – with its lively music and robust dancing.

One of the unique aspects of the ballet is that each act was choreographed by a different choreographer. The opening scene, featuring gift-giving and celebration at the Christmas Eve party at the Stahlbaum house, is choreographed by Janet Parke, who has served more than 20 years as principal of the BalletMemphisSchool and director of the Junior Company, and has choreographed more than 75 ballets for the Ballet Memphis.

The remainder of Act I was choreographed by Karl Condon, Associate Artistic Director for Ballet Memphis. His beautiful sense of time and surroundings has resulted in a dramatic battle scene and a most magnificent rendition of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince’s dance among the snowflakes.

The final Act of the ballet is choreographed by Joseph Jefferies, former Ballet Memphis dancer and frequent choreographer for Ballet Memphis. Through his deft handling of the dancers, all the colorful inhabitants of the Kingdom of Sweets – the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, Mother Ginger and her Polichinelles, the Dew Drop Fairy and her Flowers, and pairs of dancers from Spain, Arabia, China and Russia – fill the stage with magic.

Ticket prices range from $22 to $39 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under.  Tickets can be purchased from at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague, or by calling 509-624-1200, or online at www.spokanesymphony.org. Purchases may also be made through TicketsWest outlets. Tickets will also be available at the INB Performing Arts Box Office after 12 noon on the performance days.

CALENDAR LISTING:

The Nutcracker; Ballet Memphis and the Spokane Symphony; Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. at the INB Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the concert are $22 to $39; $14 tickets are available for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased from at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague, or by calling 509-624-1200, or online at www.spokanesymphony.org. Purchases may also be made through TicketsWest outlets. Tickets will also be available at the INB Performing Arts Box Office after 12 noon on the performance days.