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MOV Ballet Co. presents ‘Nutcracker’

From local reports

Mid Ohio Valley Ballet Company is presenting its annual performance of the beloved holiday classic the “Nutcracker” in two performances — 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in the Marietta High School auditorium, and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, in the Blennerhassett School auditorium.

The Christmas classic will delight and entertain adults and children alike as it fills the audiences with the Christmas spirit and reminds them of those few brief days that transform the world into a happier, peaceful place.

The joy of Christmas is never more evident than in the “Nutcracker.” This whimsical ballet brings beautiful fantasies, sugar plum dreams and waltzing flowers to a very large adoring public. Parties, church celebrations, family and friends and “The Nutcracker” are all part of the American Christmas experience. The MOVB has toured extensively throughout a four state region since 1981 presenting the “Nutcracker” to audiences of over 500,000 including thousands of public school children throughout West Virginia and Ohio.

The classic full-length version of the ballet was first presented in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892. Original music composed exclusively for the ballet was written by P I Tchaikovsky and original choreography was set by M Petipa and L. Ivanov. The music has become a timeless classic heard in commercials and malls as well as in concert halls around the world. The Nutcracker doll himself has also become a symbol of the holiday season and many ballet companies have their own adaptation of this heart-warming story.

Based on the book by ETA Hoffman, the ballet follows the dreams of a little girl named Clara. At the family Christmas party her godfather Drosselmeyer presents her with a mysterious gift of a Nutcracker and her jealous little brother Fritz promptly breaks it. As the guests depart, Clara comes quietly back into the living room to see her new toy and falls asleep there. Her dreams take her through a fierce battle between the Mouse King and the Nutcracker, a visit to the Land of the Sweets where candy dancers perform for her and finally a journey through the snow kingdom with whirling, dancing snowflakes.

Company Principal Dancers Kitri Held and Bryan Cunningham will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier, Jason Tanner will portray Herr Drosselmeyer and Jolene Troisi will dance the roles of the Coffee dancer in Act II and the Snow Queen.

The role of Clara will be danced by Sarah Yoak and Eliza Siefert and the role of the Nutcracker Prince will be danced by Owen Tidd.

Tickets are available at the MOVB Offices, 1311 Ann St., Parkersburg, box office hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30 to 7 p.m., and Wednesday, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Seats are reserved and are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 16. Tickets can be purchased in advance with Visa, Mastercard or Discover credit cards for both shows, by calling the Ballet Company Offices at 304.422.5538. Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of both shows.

More information about the MOVB can be obtained by visiting their website at movballet.com.

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