Thursday, November 15, 2012

Dance Repertory Company presents ‘The Nutcracker’


The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) will present the Dance Repertory Company in “The Nutcracker,” Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 28 through Dec. 2.

The production will take place in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

This year marks the company’s seventh biennial production of the piece and features a special choral performance by MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers at the conclusion of Act I in the Land of Snow.

The cast includes more than 90 members, comprised of students from Saint Mary’s University, Winona State University, MCA and children and community members from Winona and the surrounding areas.

Through this ballet, the beauty of the pure, young heart shines bright in a world of dancing dolls, angels, and of course, the wonderful magical Nutcracker Prince. In the dreams of a child named Clara, a battle wages between a band of mice and a company of toy soldiers. With Clara’s assistance, the toy soldiers are victorious and grateful. A Nutcracker Prince welcomes her to the Land of Snow, where they dance with the angels, and to the Kingdom of the Sweets hosted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, where she sees a beautiful array of ethnic dances such as Spanish Coffee, Chinese Tea and Russian Baba.

“The Nutcracker” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 1, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

A special matinee for families with younger children will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28. The matinee features selections from the full ballet and lasts about one hour. This is especially suited for families with young children who may not enjoy a full evening performance. The cost for this afternoon matinee is $4 for everyone.

To order tickets, call the Saint Mary’s Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ext. 1715 or visit www.pagetheatre.org.