The Catskill Mountain Foundation’s Orpheum Dance Program presents
The
Nutcracker
The Eighth Annual Production of the Holiday Favorite Returns to Tannersville
T
his year, ring in the Holiday Season with the world’s favorite ballet! On Saturday and Sunday, December 2-3 and December 9-10, the Catskill Mountain Foundation presents the eighth annual production of their Nutcracker. CMF’s Orpheum Dance Program Director and former Metropolitan Opera ballerina Victoria Rinaldi will partner with Joffrey Ballet School New York’s Pre-Professional program to present this show, which has become a yearly favorite of residents of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley. Part of what makes this production of The Nutcracker so special is the community involvement, and this year record numbers of local children turned out to audition for roles as party children, mice, soldiers, angels, and in the Marzipan and Mother Ginger scenes. “We have close to 70 local children who will be part of this year’s casts,” said Victoria. “After auditions were held in September, I still had parents contacting me, wanting to get their children to participate—both girls and boys!” This production of The Nutcracker is indeed a labor of love. For months leading up to the shows, Victoria works tirelessly to make it as exceptional as it can be, doing everything from rehearsing with both professional dancers and local children, to updating the choreography each year, to freshening the costumes. “It’s a beautiful exposure to a holiday tradition, and a great start to the holiday season,” says Victoria. “I am thrilled to be able to present this show to the community, with a record number of community participants and a wonderful collaboration with Joffrey Ballet School New York.”
About The Nutcracker With a libretto based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman, The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. It tells the story of a young girl, Clara, who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and his fierce battle against a Mouse King. Clara and the Prince travel to the Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy, where she is treated to a celebration of sweets from around the world. To conclude the night, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier perform a pas de deux that for many is the highlight of the ballet. The Nutcracker Ballet was first presented in St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 17, 1892. Choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Tchaikovsky, the famous Russian composer, to compose the ballet. George Balanchine popularized the ballet with his 1954 production, casting real children for the first time.
This Year’s Production This production of The Nutcracker came about originally as a thank you to the Catskill Mountain Foundation for allowing Victoria to coach in their beautiful space, The Red Barn. The Foundation wanted to give local children the gift of performing in a ballet. It has developed and grown over the years and has touched both the participants and the audience, and has created a community that loves and embraces dance as something valuable to be shared. November 2023 • GUIDE 29
