A sweet "Nutcracker"

  • <br>For the Enterprise
  • Monday, March 3, 2008 10:00am

Olympic Ballet Theatre celebrates its Silver Season with their full-length traditional performance of “The Nutcracker,” previewing at the Mountlake Terrace Performing Arts Center on Dec. 3 and 4.

OBT’s spirited holiday favorite brings special guest artists, all former members of the New York City Ballet, for additional performances at Meany Hall, Dec. 10 and 11 with Andrea Long and Darius Crenshaw, and at the Everett Performing Arts Center Dec. 18 with Aesha Ash and Darius Crenshaw.

The Nutcracker is a lively, family-oriented production that celebrates the holiday season. Beautiful Snowflakes, the sparkling Sugarplum Fairy, a wonderful Mother Ginger with her little Buffoons, a Christmas Tree that grows before your eyes, and a Booming Cannon all add to the popularity of this ballet.

The choreographed by John and Helen Wilkins, “The Nutcracker” features such classic performance pieces as “Waltz of the Flowers,” “Chinese Tea,” “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” and the lively “Party Scene,” where the magic comes alive in Clara’s home. New and innovative choreography by Daniel Wilkins, OBT’s Associate Artistic Director, includes a grand sword fight and a daring “Arabian.”

Aesha Ash has danced soloist and principal roles in film, television and video, including the featured dancer in “Barbie Nutcracker” and “Sesame Street.” Ash was principal dancer for Maurice Bejart with Bejart Ballet and has been in numerous publications such as Bazaar, Marie Claire, Dance Magazine and NYCB campaign ads. Her years with the New York City Ballet were highlighted with many works by Balanchine, Robbins, and Peter Martins, including his Live from Lincoln Center in “Swan Lake” and “Jeu de Cartes.” Soloist and principal roles include “Coppelia,” “The Four Temperments,” “Mid Summer Night’s Dream,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Who Cares?,” “West Side Story” and “Vienna Waltzes.” She is currently dancing for Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet in San Francisco.

Darius Crenshaw began his dance training at the School for Creative and Performing Arts at the age of 9. He danced as an apprentice with Cincinnati Ballet Company during high school, attending three summers at the School of American Ballet. After graduating in 1994, Crenshaw studied at the School of American Ballet for two years and became a member of New York City Ballet. Since joining the company, Crenshaw performed ballets such as “Stars and Stripes,” “Symphony in 3 Movements,” “Bugaku,” “Symphony in C,” “Theme and Variations,” and others.

Andrea Long began her training at the Pennsylvania Ballet School and became an apprentice with the Pennsylvania Ballet Company. After studying with the American Ballet Theatre, the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and School of the American Ballet, she went on to perform with the New York City Ballet for eight years. Long became a member of the Dance Theatre of Harlem as a soloist and was promoted to principal in 1998. She danced choreography by Dwight Rhoden, Jerome Robbins, Arthur Mitchell and Laveen Naidu. Some of the many roles Long has danced are the lead in “Firebird,” “Allegro Brilliante,” “Four Temperaments,” “Joplin Dances,” “South African Suite” and “Serenade.”

Performances will include dancers Jennifer Banks, Peter de Grasse, Hannah Lagerway, Maika Misumi and Danielle P. Wilkins, from Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle and OBT’s Associate Artistic Director’s New York City company, danielandsomesuperfriends. Dancers from the Richmond Academy of Dance in Vancouver, B.C. will also join the cast at the Meany Hall and the Everett Performing Arts Center performances.

For 25 years OBT, a non-profit organization, has been dedicated to providing professional opportunities to dancers, choreographers and designers in the Puget Sound area. The company seeks to further artistic achievement and character growth of its young dancers by providing them with exceptional productions.

Ticket prices range from $32 to $12 depending upon venue. Reserved seating tickets can be purchased by calling OBT at 425-774-7570, from TicketMaster at 206-292-ARTS, or in person at the Olympic Ballet Theatre offices, located in the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main Street, Edmonds.

For information about Olympic Ballet Theatre’s additional one-hour special performances for school children, call 425-774-7570. To learn more about Olympic Ballet Theatre’s 25th Anniversary Season, visit www.olympicballet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.