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Moore OnStage and Taylor Dance Present "The Nutcracker"

A traditional entertainment for the whole family will brighten the pre-holiday season at the Robert E. Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School on the Thanksgiving weekend when Moore OnStage and Taylor Dance present “The Nutcracker.”

The two-act ballet with its familiar Tchaikovsky score had an unsuccessful premiere more than 100 years ago in Russia, but since the mid-20th century, it has enjoyed increasing popularity and is now performed by countless ballet companies and schools during the Christmas season.

Originally choreographed by the legendary Marius Petipa and his assistant, Lev Ivanov, it has been produced in several versions by well-known ballet directors. Rita Taylor and her husband, Gary, occupy a prominent position in the regional ballet scene and head up the dance division of Moore OnStage.

Rita says every “Nutcracker” has its roots in the initial collaboration.

“However, each company’s choreographer usually adapts some of the movements of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker, always maintaining the special tone of the ballet,” she says.

Gary Taylor, an award-winning choreographer, has been inspired by the faculty under whom he worked when he studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts, many of whom clearly felt the Russian influence. Gary has changed the choreography for the Taylor Dance production of “The Nutcracker” in order to keep it fresh, and also to be sensitive to the particular strengths of the dancers performing in the classic.

In this production of “The Nutcracker,” a cast of 75 will be on stage, including students, pre-professional and professional dancers, along with with a few adults and special guests. The key role of the Sugar Plum Fairy is double cast, with dancers Julianne Gant and Tessa Sevdy each having the opportunity to dance the intricate solo and pas de deux with Hunter Mikles in the role of Cavalier.

Gary Taylor will be Drosselmeyer, the gentleman who presents Clara, portrayed by Cali McLean, with the gift of her own nutcracker. As the first act closes on the beautiful wintry scene in the forest, the part of the Snow Queen and her King are danced by Alexis Whitecar and Sedrick Gillespie.

The second act takes Clara on a magical journey to the Land of the Sweets, where she is entertained by, among others, an Arabian princess, danced by Kassandra Taylor, a Chinese couple, danced by Angela Vecchione and Thomas McGill, and the Mirlitons, led by Julia Thompson.

The elaborate set for the second act, featuring colorful life-sized lollipops, gumdrops and candy canes, was the handiwork of well-known Howard C. Jones, head of design and production of the North Carolina School of the Arts, who also provided the sets for the party scene and the snow scene. Working with Gary and Rita Taylor over the course of a year, Jones captured the vision that the couple had for the stunning sets in canvas and paint.

“We have a phenomenal design team who work with us on all of our productions,” say Rita Taylor. “The members of the team include Craig Mowery, from New York, who is our lighting designer, and Eric Tysinger, a Connecticut resident, the production manager, as well as firms from Greensboro and Raleigh that act as stage management and provide all the necessary backstage equipment.”

A highlight of the local Nutcracker Weekend is a special children’s event being held on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Carolina Hotel of Pinehurst Resort, in its Cardinal Ballroom.

Greeting the guests to the Land of Sweets affair will be a parade of characters from the ballet, all in full costume. The Mouse King with his sword will be on hand with some of his troops, as well as soldiers from the famous battle scene. The children will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the characters and touch their costumes. Parents are encouraged to bring their cameras.

Dancers will perform two of the charming numbers from the ballet’s second act, and a buffet is planned incorporating the treats offered in the Land of the Sweets. An assortment of door prizes and giveaways will be distributed. The $30 ticket for the children’s event includes all of the festivities, as well as admission to a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee performance of “The Nutcracker.”

“The world has been captivated for many years by the story of the young girl and her gift of a nutcracker,” says Rita Taylor. “It has become a wonderful tradition, not only for the dancers who measure time by how many productions they have performed, but for the communities all over the United States and beyond which welcome the magical fairy tale in dance at holiday time.”

Performances of “The Nutcracker,” sponsored by Granville Financial and Media Partner WLHC-FM Life 103.1, are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, and Saturday, Nov. 27. Matinees are on Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 28, at 2 p.m. at Robert E. Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $15 for students (18 and under). All seats for the Saturday matinee only are $12.

Call (910) 692-7118 for reservations.

Contact Pinehurst freelance writer Mary Elle Hunter at mhunter104@yahoo.com.