Fallsnewspress.com - Youth ballet brings some swing into familiar Nutcracker story

RPC Photo / April K. Helms From left, Kirsten Linnen, 13, of Cuyahoga Falls, Megan Klamert, 13, of Akron and Hannah Coley, 14, of Cuyahoga Falls rehearse the ice skating scene in “Nutcracker Swings.”

by April Helms

Special Products Editor

You can say that the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet brings its own twist to the "Nutcracker" story, but that wouldn't be entirely accurate. It's more like the company's own jive or swing.

The youth ballet company, located in Cuyahoga Falls, last year introduced a different take on "The Nutcracker," with the familiar Tchaikovsky score played in Big Band style and the story itself taking place in the 1940s. The ballet will return again Dec. 6 and 7 at the new Ann Amer Brennan Theater in Our Lady of the Elms School, 1290 W. Market St. in Akron. Shows are at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

This year, the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet is looking to "make a bigger, a grander event," said Rick Davidson, who handles promotions for CVYB.

"We want to make this a family event, more so than in the past," Davidson said.

New additions include several activities after each performance, such as a basket raffle, complimentary refreshments, live Swing Band music, and a story reading and treat bag for children, with stories read by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. Discounts are available for Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other groups.

Patron tickets also are available for $50. Those purchasing patron tickets will have preferred seating, and can attend a patron reception during intermission, which will have coffees and hors d'oeuvres. Call 330-996-1100 or visit www.cvyb.org for details or to purchase tickets.

The ballet story

The ballet was choreographed by Francis Patrelle. "Nutcracker Swings" takes its inspirations from this area's past, using the former Saywell's Drugstore in Hudson as the inspiration for the soda shop seen in the opening scene, and the pond at Western Reserve Academy for the ice skating sequence. But fans of the classic "Nutcracker" will still see the famous Nutcracker, as well as the mice and soldiers.

In this story, which is a series of memories from a young woman, a group of students enjoy themselves at a local soda shop when the store is overrun with mice. The soldiers come to the rescue, and the students enjoy the winter weather by ice skating on the lake.

In the second half, the students go to the land of sweets, with a formal dance as a finale.

"It's 'Nutcracker' themed, but it is very different," said Laura Kulwicki, president of CVYB. "It's a unique alternative for the holidays."

E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153