Kick off the holiday season at the River Raisin Centre for the Arts with the River Raisin Ballet Company’s annual performance of The Nutcracker Ballet. The RRB’s production of this classic holiday ballet returns to the stage as a truly spectacular collaboration with lavish sets, exciting choreography, handcrafted costumes and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.
The RRB’s two act Nutcracker is directed and choreographed by RRB director Gail Choate-Pettit and assistant company director Melissa Moore. They are joined by dancers from Monroe County and surrounding areas, Josh Mohler as Drosselmeyer and Mother Ginger and Tim Lewandowski as Father Ginger. To add to the onstage delight of holiday viewers, the RRCA lobby will be transformed into the land of sweets for each performance with decorations, merchandise, baked goods and beverages.
Unlike in the past where the RRB has brought in guest artists to play the lead roles, this year’s Nutcracker will feature three talented River Raisin Ballet students in the lead roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Tony Fedewa and Abigail Fleszar will split the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Both ladies are aspiring professional dancers and returned to Monroe this fall having studied at the Charlotte Ballet and the Cleveland Ballet. In addition to rehearsing for their Sugar Plum debuts, they are also preparing to compete in the Youth American Grand Prix for the second time early next year.
Pre-professional dance student, Gabe Hileman will play the Cavalier. For the past several years Gabe, a student at the Toledo School for the Arts, has been working towards his goal to dance the role of the Cavalier and is thrilled to be given this chance. He will split the part with guest artist, Daniel Davenport, who has made several appearances in past RRB productions including The Nutcracker, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Coppelia.
About all the new casting this year, Gail Choate-Pettit states “Excitement builds with a year of internal growth and change for company members.” This year is also exciting and transitional year for younger company members, who are moving up to replace the advanced dancers from previous years.
In addition to three public performances, for the eighth year, the RRB will be putting on a condensed school performance of The Nutcracker for students in the Monroe County area. All Monroe elementary schools were invited to participate in this arts education and holiday fun performance.
The Nutcracker Ballet will take place on December 6th at 2 pm and 7 pm and December 7th at 3 pm. Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $12 for students and children. They are now on sale by calling (734)-242-7722, stopping by the box office at 114 South Monroe Street or visiting our website at www.riverraisincentre.org. This show is generously sponsored by DTE Energy Foundation.
