ABOUT THE NUTCRACKER:
The Nutcracker is presented by the Friends of Dance and performed by the Vail Youth Ballet Company, students from Vail Valley Academy of Dance and members of the Vail Valley community. This delightful holiday classic has become an annual family tradition, enjoyed by millions the world-over.
Once upon a time... It’s Christmas Eve and the Stahlbaum family is having their annual holiday party with family and friends. During the celebration the Stahlbaum’s daughter, Clara, receives a Nutcracker as a gift from her mysterious Uncle Drosselmeyer. After the party ends and the guests depart, the family goes to bed. Clara sneaks down to find her Nutcracker under the tree. It is there that she encounters a panorama of mice and soldiers embroiled in battle with her Nutcracker – who has been transformed into a handsome Prince! Clara assists in his victory and is transported with the Prince to the Land of Sweets. There, the Sugarplum Fairy presides over the celebration in their honor. Clara and the Prince are treated to a feast of dances including Spanish, Arabian, Chinese, Merliton, the Waltz of the Flowers and the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The timeless music for “The Nutracker” by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky was composed in 1892, as a commissioned piece for choreographer Marius Petipa. The completed work was world-premiered in Russia’s Mariinsky Theatre, home of the Kirov Ballet. The First American performance took place in 1944 by San Francisco Ballet, with choreography by Willam Christensen.
We are proud to present Jonathan Windham dancing the role of the Cavalier. Jon studied at Vail Valley Academy of Dance for many years, went on to major in dance at SUNY Purchase, and dance professionally. As Sugar Plum we present Andrea Sunday who also studied at VVAD and then went on to Point Park College in Pittsburgh, PA. After dancing elsewhere for several years, she has returned to the Eagle River Valley and is now the artistic director of the Vail Youth Ballet Company.
Since 1984, Friends of the Dance (FOD) has provided financial assistance to students for local dance classes or summer intensives around the country. In 1996, FOD founded Vail Youth Ballet Company. FOD cherishes young people who recognize their passion for movement and the magnificent art form of dance.
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