TBT’s holiday classic features special guests

Holiday classic The NutcrackerTexas Ballet Theater (TBT) is currently presenting its annual holiday classic, The Nutcracker, at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. Performances began December 8 and will conclude December 24. The program features a twist this year, with a dancer swap with the Queensland Ballet in Australia.

 

The result of a collaboration between Ben Stevenson, O.B.E., the artistic director of TBT, and Li Cunxin, the artistic director of Queensland Ballet, dancers from each company are switching places for two performances. TBT dancers Samantha Pille and Jiyan Dai went to Australia this week and Queensland Ballet dancers Yanela Pinera and Camilo Ramos will perform the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker Prince on December 20 and 22 at Bass Performance Hall with the rest of the cast from TBT.

 

Texas Ballet Theater Special GuestA classical ballet in two acts, as based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King from 1816, The Nutcracker is the traditional story as brought to life by Stevenson and the famous music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The show includes special effects like dry ice to create a magical mist during the snow scene, as well as set pieces that fly through Clara’s dreamland. Students from the TBT School play the children roles on stage at the performances.

 

The full-length, kid-friendly ballet lasts approximately two hours and includes a 20-minute intermission. A “Wiggle Room” is available for restless children to play while still watching the performance via a screen.

 

Texas Ballet Theater Special GuestCertain performances feature a Kingdom of Sweets with crafts, story time with a ballerina and other activities one hour prior to show time (free with ticket to the ballet). Other performances have a VIP add-on opportunity for a backstage tour, drink tickets and special gift (additional cost to participate in this).

 

Tickets range from $20-$115 and are available at www.texasballettheater.org or 877-828-9200.

 

Photo (top): TBT dancers Alexandra Farber and Paul Adams. Photo by Steven Visneau. Photo (left): Yanela Pinera. Photo (right): Camilo Ramos. Headshots courtesy of TBT.