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11/26/2009 - West Side Leader
     

By Roger Durbin

Ballet company performing 100th ‘Nutcracker’

Kim Sulek is Mother Ginger in Ballet Theatre of Ohio’s “Nutcracker.”

Photos courtesy of Ballet Theatre of Ohio

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Artistic Director Christine Meneer’s Ballet Theatre of Ohio (BTO) marks another milestone this year when its season tradition — “Nutcracker” — will be performed for the 100th time by the company. The ballet will be performed at the Akron Civic Theatre Nov. 28 through Dec. 6.

Their 100th performance will take place Nov. 28 and include some dancers who have been in every performance since Meneer first brought her version of the ballet to Akron stages nearly two decades ago.

Kelsey Minick, shown above at center, is shown on stage in the production.

Brothers Joshua and Jeremiah Eisley will dance the adult roles of Drosselmeyer and the Mouse King, respectively. Dancer Erin Kelly has appeared in 99 of the grand total showings, while Kim Sulek, who is Mother Ginger, only missed one season while she was on maternity leave.

That’s quite an impressive record for Meneer, an achievement that will be celebrated in part through the creation of a special-edition “Nutcracker” ornament that has been designed and will be sold at the boutique at the Akron Civic Theatre.

Over the years, Meneer has strengthened the choreography, adding touches here and there to develop the story and show the talents of her dancers. This year, principal roles will be double cast so there are different professional and skilled dancers each weekend. During the first weekend, the role of Clara will be danced by Mika Takahashi. Joining her will be Jurijs Safonovs as the Nutcracker and Arabian Prince; Brian Murphy and Katie Edmonds as the Snow King and Queen; and Megan Coleman and Damien Highfield as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

During the second week, Joanna Sullivan will dance the role of Clara. She will be joined by Robert Wesner as the Nutcracker and Arabian Prince; Highfield and Coleman as the Snow King and Queen; and Andrea Blankstein and Murphy as the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.

With rich period costumes and elaborate sets, Meneer drenches the production in nostalgia and coziness, thereby creating an atmosphere of warmth and safety for her main character’s (Clara’s) scenes with presumably threatening mice and during her adventures in faraway lands.

Even more, a world of fancy dominates and makes the ballet fun for the viewer and exciting for the younger members of the audience. This year, Meneer said she created a special role for dancer Kelsey Minick. The 9-year-old uses a wheelchair, and Meneer has fashioned a scene featuring a Sugar Plum Express train in which Minick will be the engine leading other children portraying various candies.

Tickets range in price from $18 to $40, with discounts available by visiting Ballet Theatre of Ohio’s Web site at www.ballettheatreohio.org. Tickets also are available at the Akron Civic Theatre Box Office by calling (330) 253-2488 or through TicketMaster by calling (330) 945-9400. Doors will open one hour prior to the performance. Patrons are urged to arrive early to visit with Santa and the Nutcracker.

Roger Durbin is professor emeritus of bibliography at The University of Akron and board director of the Dance Critics Association. To contact him, e-mail r.durbin@sbcglobal.net.

     

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