Studio to perform 'Nutcracker' in Libertyville, Waukegan
Each year, Cheri Lindell has to put together a big puzzle.
She has to choose 100 dancers, singers, gymnasts and actors who will fill the stage to present Dancenter North's 19th annual holiday production of "The Magic of the Nutcracker," which begins Saturday night.
"It's a giant puzzle with many, many pieces," said Lindell, the show's director and producer. "They all have to blend together."
Chosen to dance as Clara will be Meghan Copeland, a 16-year-old from Libertyville. Now a junior at Libertyville High School, she has performed with the production since third grade.
"I used to always look up to Clara," Copeland said. "Now it's nice to be a role model for the younger children."
Playing her Nutcracker prince will be Patrick Trigg, a 17-year-old senior at Carmel Catholic High School. Trigg, a Waukegan resident, has studied dance for 14 years and is joining his ninth "Nutcracker." He has previously danced as the Snow Prince.
This will be the first time Copeland and Trigg perform in starring roles and the first time they will dance together.
"They are America's sweethearts up there," Lindell said of the pair. "They have a quiet way about them, but endearing and charming. They also have a good chemistry with each other."
"The Magic of the Nutcracker" will be performed at 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday at Libertyville High School's auditorium.
The holiday ballet will then continue at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.
The story begins as Clara receives a nutcracker from her uncle at a family's Christmas party. Her jealous brother breaks the nutcracker, upsetting Clara.
After Clara falls asleep, she begins to dream as her nutcracker comes to life and battles the mice. He then takes her on a journey to magical places including the snow kingdom and kingdom of sweets.
Among the characters Clara meets are the Snow Queen and Fairy of the Sweets, both played by 17-year-old Christina Bushala; the Snow Prince, played by 17-year-old Garrett Glassman of Gurnee; and the Beauty Rose, played by 17-year-old Natasha Wilkins of Gurnee.
The production also features internationally acclaimed dancers in lead roles. Among them is Amy Brandt, a former Libertyville resident and Dancenter North student, who will star as the Sugar Plum Fairy for her third consecutive year. She now performs with the Susan Farrell Ballet in Washington, DC.
"It is such a joy to have a former student who has gone on to such success come home to share here experiences and her journey with our present students," Lindell said.
Partnering with Brandt his second year as the Cavalier will be Altin Kaftira, principal soloist with the Dutch National Ballet.
"It's so rare to find a partner that you can really connect with and trust," Brandt said. "Our work styles match exactly, and it's great to see that he's as invested in the production as I am."
Whether seeing the show the first time or the 19th, Lindell hopes audiences enjoy the music, the scenery and dancing and leave with a wonderful feeling in their hearts.
"You can't help but go away with a good feeling," she said.
If you go
What: Dancenter North presents "The Magic of the Nutcracker"
Where: Libertyville High School auditorium, 708 W. Park Ave. and the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
When: 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday in Libertyville, and 3 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 in Waukegan
Tickets: Tickets start at $15. To buy tickets to the Libertyville shows or for group sales, call Dancenter North at (847) 367-7970. For the Waukegan shows, call the theater's box office at (847) 263-6300 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.