milan news leader
newsSaturday, December 3, 2011
MILAN: Ann Arbor Dance Classics to stage 'The Nutcracker and Holiday Celebration' (with video)By Lori Maranville
Special Writer
lorimaranville@att.netAnn Arbor Dance Classics studio will bring "The Nutcracker and Holiday Celebration" to the stage 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at Milan High School. The original classic tale tells the story of a young girl, as she dreams of a Nutcracker Prince, a battle with a Mouse King and travel to a land of Sugar Plum Fairies. The ballet is based on a story, written by German author Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffman, titled "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." The ballet itself was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The musical score was created by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Deena Fournier, co-owner of the Ann Arbor Dance Classics studio with Lisa Holland, said the performance will include a one-act version of the holiday classic along with a collection of holiday musical numbers incorporating tap, jazz, contemporary and even Celtic dance. The dance studio has been performing some version of the Nutcracker in Milan since 2004, performing the full length version every other year. Fournier said the studio reserves the alternate year for the shorter version, allowing them to incorporate other dance styles. "With respect to the Nutcracker, as well as the holiday portion, we like to change things up a little from year to year," she said. "We see the importance of teaching all forms of dance." The cast of roughly 76 dancers will be under the artistic direction of Fournier and Holland. The performers range in age from 5 to 17. Lead performers are Patricia Sholtis of Saline, who will play the Sugar Plum Fairy; Kate Hervey of Saline, who will dance the part of Clara; and Kasia Reilly of Milan, who will be the Snow Queen. Senior class members of the cast are Michelle Lanuti of Ann Arbor (Spanish soloist); Marissa Relitz of Ann Arbor (Russian soloist); Nia Chen of Ann Arbor (Angel, Reed Corps), Savannah Ferman of Ann Arbor (Angel, Madame Patineuse); and Rachel Metz of Ann Arbor (Maid, Angel). Maggie Williams of Milan will sing holiday songs during dress changes for the show. A total of 33 younger dancers, who Fournier calls "Flower Buds" were added this year to the "Waltz of the Flowers." Santa Claus will join the dancers at the close of the show. Fournier said preparation for the show is never a small task. Auditions for the Milan performance are in August and rehearsals begin in September every year. "The rehearsals are always hectic because we try to cast people at least twice for the performance," she said. "We want the dancers to get the most out of this experience, as well as work with more than one choreographer." From finding misplaced tiaras to mending costumes, Fournier said it takes a lot of help from parents and staff to get ready for the show every year. "We have parents who volunteer and staff who work extra hard to help with cleaning, embellishing and sewing costumes, painting sets and props, loading and setting the sets on stage, as well as working backstage and in the lobby during the show." Fournier adds, "It would be impossible to put on a show like this without all the help, of which Lisa and I are very grateful." Fournier said all of the sets for the show are original and dancers will perform originally choreographed dance numbers for the "Holiday Celebration" portion of the performance. "When all is said and done, the show goes relatively well without a hitch," she said. "Lisa (Holland) and I have always believed in putting together a good quality show and we both work very hard at managing all aspects of the show from beginning to end." Fournier said they also try to reach out to outlying Ann Arbor communities to give everyone the opportunity to see the performing arts. Dance Classics' Youth Dance Ensemble performs two shows per season and several free out reach shows a year. Tickets for this year's "Nutcracker" will be $12 for adults and $9 for senior citizens and children 10 and younger. Tickets will be available at the door or at Ann Arbor Dance Classics at 3660 Plaza Drive Suite 2, Ann Arbor. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Anyone interested in more information may call Ann Arbor Dance Classics at 734-302-4248. Lori Maranville is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lorimaranville@att.net.
Special Writer
lorimaranville@att.netAnn Arbor Dance Classics studio will bring "The Nutcracker and Holiday Celebration" to the stage 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at Milan High School. The original classic tale tells the story of a young girl, as she dreams of a Nutcracker Prince, a battle with a Mouse King and travel to a land of Sugar Plum Fairies. The ballet is based on a story, written by German author Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffman, titled "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." The ballet itself was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The musical score was created by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Deena Fournier, co-owner of the Ann Arbor Dance Classics studio with Lisa Holland, said the performance will include a one-act version of the holiday classic along with a collection of holiday musical numbers incorporating tap, jazz, contemporary and even Celtic dance. The dance studio has been performing some version of the Nutcracker in Milan since 2004, performing the full length version every other year. Fournier said the studio reserves the alternate year for the shorter version, allowing them to incorporate other dance styles. "With respect to the Nutcracker, as well as the holiday portion, we like to change things up a little from year to year," she said. "We see the importance of teaching all forms of dance." The cast of roughly 76 dancers will be under the artistic direction of Fournier and Holland. The performers range in age from 5 to 17. Lead performers are Patricia Sholtis of Saline, who will play the Sugar Plum Fairy; Kate Hervey of Saline, who will dance the part of Clara; and Kasia Reilly of Milan, who will be the Snow Queen. Senior class members of the cast are Michelle Lanuti of Ann Arbor (Spanish soloist); Marissa Relitz of Ann Arbor (Russian soloist); Nia Chen of Ann Arbor (Angel, Reed Corps), Savannah Ferman of Ann Arbor (Angel, Madame Patineuse); and Rachel Metz of Ann Arbor (Maid, Angel). Maggie Williams of Milan will sing holiday songs during dress changes for the show. A total of 33 younger dancers, who Fournier calls "Flower Buds" were added this year to the "Waltz of the Flowers." Santa Claus will join the dancers at the close of the show. Fournier said preparation for the show is never a small task. Auditions for the Milan performance are in August and rehearsals begin in September every year. "The rehearsals are always hectic because we try to cast people at least twice for the performance," she said. "We want the dancers to get the most out of this experience, as well as work with more than one choreographer." From finding misplaced tiaras to mending costumes, Fournier said it takes a lot of help from parents and staff to get ready for the show every year. "We have parents who volunteer and staff who work extra hard to help with cleaning, embellishing and sewing costumes, painting sets and props, loading and setting the sets on stage, as well as working backstage and in the lobby during the show." Fournier adds, "It would be impossible to put on a show like this without all the help, of which Lisa and I are very grateful." Fournier said all of the sets for the show are original and dancers will perform originally choreographed dance numbers for the "Holiday Celebration" portion of the performance. "When all is said and done, the show goes relatively well without a hitch," she said. "Lisa (Holland) and I have always believed in putting together a good quality show and we both work very hard at managing all aspects of the show from beginning to end." Fournier said they also try to reach out to outlying Ann Arbor communities to give everyone the opportunity to see the performing arts. Dance Classics' Youth Dance Ensemble performs two shows per season and several free out reach shows a year. Tickets for this year's "Nutcracker" will be $12 for adults and $9 for senior citizens and children 10 and younger. Tickets will be available at the door or at Ann Arbor Dance Classics at 3660 Plaza Drive Suite 2, Ann Arbor. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Anyone interested in more information may call Ann Arbor Dance Classics at 734-302-4248. Lori Maranville is a freelance writer. She can be reached at lorimaranville@att.net.