Lake Co. dancers shine in Dancenter North's 'Nutcracker'

Annie Peterson remembers performing in her first “Nutcracker.” She was in third grade and was cast as Clara's younger sister in the opening party scene.

“I remember standing onstage and anxiously waiting for the curtain to rise,” she said. “Once the music started, I felt a rush of positive energy and I was ready to dance.”

Peterson has been dancing ever since, and she's come a long way. This season, the junior at Lake Forest High School will be dancing the starring role of Clara in Dancenter North's production of “The Magic of the Nutcracker,” which takes the stage of Libertyville High School's Butler Auditorium at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5.

The following weekend, Dancenter North will move its production to the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St. in Waukegan. They will perform a special 80-minute school show at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10. The final shows are at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11-12.

Now in its 22nd season, Dancenter North's “Nutcracker” features more than 100 performers, including local dancers, actors, gymnasts and professional guest artists. The Red Rose Children's Choir will perform in the Saturday, Dec. 11, show, and singers from the award-winning New Tradition Chorus will perform Sunday, Dec. 12.

This will be Peterson's second turn as Clara, a role she performed in 2008. She will partner with professional guest artist Ted Kryzykowski of Buffalo, N.Y.-based LehrerDance, who will play the Nutcracker Prince for the second time.

Peterson is looking forward to two things during her ninth season performing in “The Nutcracker.” In addition to the Pas de Deux in Act One, she is excited to be sharing the stage with her sister and cousin, who will appear in the party scene, where she says it will “feel like a real family gathering.”

Carmel Catholic High School junior Kadre Kappes has been dancing in Dancenter North's production of the ballet for eight years. Last season, she enjoyed the featured role of Fairy of the Sweets. This season, her dream of landing the role of Beauty Rose came true.

“This is the role I have always wanted since I began watching the ‘Nutcracker' production at age 4,” Kappes said. “I am fulfilling a dream from my childhood.”

“The Nutcracker” also is a family affair for Kappes. Her younger brother, Jason, is appearing as a boy at the party in the ballet's first act.

This year marks Gurnee resident Emily Smith's seventh year in Dancenter North's production, and the second time she has danced the role of the Snow Queen.

“Since I have had this role before, I'm looking forward to dancing with greater confidence,” said Smith, a Carmel High School sophomore. “I think that there are areas where I have improved since last year, and I hope to show that in my performance.”

For Libertyville resident Erica Massarelli, a senior at Carmel High School, her dream role became a reality when she was cast as the Fairy of the Sweets.

“I have looked up to the Fairy of the Sweets for two years,” she said. “I am thrilled to be in this position this year and to be a lead!”

Among the professional artists in the production are Amy Brandt of New York City, who is dancing as the Sugar Plum Fairy for the fifth time; Jon Lehrer, former associate director of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, plays the menacing Mouse King; and Terrence McEnroe of Dallas returns for his 19th year as Herr Drosselmeyer.

Other Chicago-area professionals dancing include Tara Leaderbrand, Nikki Lazzaretto, Matthew Geiger, Heidi Ekstrom Kusta (2006 Miss Illinois), Jennifer Swanson, Matt Pospeshil, Debbie Handelsman and Luke Joyner.

“There is an amazing excitement generated by bringing in these wonderful guest artists,” said director and producer Cheri Lindell. “They interact wonderfully with our student talent, allowing them to rise to levels of performance they hadn't imagined.”

This year, Dancenter North is offering a special Sugar Plum Pre-Party at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. This event is only open to those who purchase tickets to that day's 3 p.m. performance at the Genesee.

Attendees will enjoy treats, the chance to win prizes and opportunities to pose for photos with the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court.

For tickets to the show and Pre-Party, visit the Genesee Box Office, call (847) 263-6300 or Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787.

Tickets for the Libertyville performances can only be purchased at Dancenter North, 540 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, or by calling (847) 367-7970. Tickets for the performances at the Genesee are available at ticketmaster.com. Group tickets for the Dec. 10 school show can be purchased by calling Rena Morrow at the Genesee, (847) 406-3152.

<p><b>If you go</b></p>

<p>What: Dancenter North's “The Magic of the Nutcracker”</p>

<p>Showtimes: 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Libertyville High School's Butler Auditorium, 708 W. Park Ave.; 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11-12, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan</p>

<p>Tickets: $15-$32 for Libertyville performances, call (847) 367-7970; $15-$35 for performances at the Genesee, see ticketmaster.com

<p>Info: dancenter-north.com</p>