By Darlene Brace
The Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet (CRYB) continues its Christmas tradition by presenting The Nutcracker at the Reg Lenna in downtown Jamestown. Since 1995, The Nutcracker performances have been held in Jamestown and this ballet by the CRYB always has high caliber performances from the entire cast. This year’s holiday shows are scheduled for Saturday, December 13th at 7pm and Sunday, December 14th at 3pm. Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit by attending this classic Christmas ballet, set to the enchanting music composed by Tchaikovsky.
The Nutcracker ballet is a beloved holiday classic based on E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story. It tells the tale of a girl named Clara who receives a magical nutcracker on Christmas Eve. The toy comes to life, leads the toy soldiers into battle against the evil Mouse King, and ultimately defeats him, transforming into a prince in the process. Together, they embark on a wondrous journey to the Land of Sweets. As the magical adventure comes to an end, Clara wakes up in her own bed on Christmas morning, left to wonder whether her enchanting experience was merely a dream or if the magic was real. The story unfolds without a single word spoken and is conveyed through the magical and mesmerizing ballet, which features exciting music and choreographed dance performances that will leave you in awe.
This year, Clara will be portrayed by Paisley Wilson, who was a soloist in last year’s performance. Tavares White will take on the role of the Nutcracker Prince. He previously played a minor role as Fritz, Clara’s younger brother, but has stepped up to a more prominent role this year.
The other featured soloists include upper-level students from CRYB including Annie Johnson, Charley Marshall, Reagan Howard, Gracie Watkins, Isabella Wilder, Hadley Olson, and Oakley Wilson. Additionally, special guest performer Michael Patterson from the Patterson School of Ballet in Erie will return in his role as Herr Drosselmeyer. The cast will also feature Elizabeth Raible as Grandmother, Grace Gibbons as the Rat Queen, and Nigil Weinman as the Battle Prince.
The complete cast features nearly seventy dancers from the CRYB, along with participants from the Patterson School of Ballet and The Studio in Erie, and others across the region. Many of the dancers are children aged 4 years and older. Each year, auditions are held in early September, and roles are assigned. Rehearsals begin in September and occur several hours each week, with some individuals participating in private lessons. The commitment is significant, as rehearsals continue until the day before the performance.
Along with the two weekend performances, every year the CRYB hosts a morning performance during the week that is specifically for local school groups. This year, the school performance is scheduled for Thursday, December 11th, at 10am. Students from across the county will participate in this special event, which brings hundreds of children together to enjoy a captivating show that entertains them and ignites their imagination. It provides a wonderful opportunity for school-aged children to experience the arts, which many of them may not have the chance to enjoy otherwise.
This type of programming is made possible because of the ongoing support that CRYB receives. A special thanks goes out to the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Additional thanks goes out to the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, the Oliver G. & Sarah Sloan Bauman Fund for the Arts, The Lenna Foundation, and the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.
To get tickets for an unforgettable experience at this year’s performances or to get information about the student performance on December 11th, go to reglenna.com or call the Reg Lenna at 716-484-7070. This captivating show is in high demand, so secure your seats now before it gets sold out.
The Chautauqua Region Youth Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker has become a cherished Christmas tradition, delighting audiences in the Jamestown area for years. With weeks of dedicated rehearsals, the talented cast brings this magical ballet to life. The timeless magic of The Nutcracker, combined with its exhilarating music, tells a captivating story. Come and experience the wonder of The Nutcracker and let the magic of this enchanting ballet fill you with the Christmas spirit.