A festive 'Nutcracker' in Lake Zurich
The Illinois Youth Dance Theatre will perform the holiday classic "The Nutcracker" this weekend in Lake Zurich. The troupe's president, Sandy Pauly, tells us what you need to know.
Q. Briefly, tell us the story behind the performance?
A. Illinois Youth Dance Theatre performs the beloved classic, "The Nutcracker," annually. This year is our 10th anniversary production. The performance takes you on a journey that begins in a Victorian home where magic dolls, a Nutcracker Prince and his mice come to life. Travel with Marie and her Prince to the Kingdom of Sweets, where snowflakes sparkle, candy canes cavort and flowers fill the stage with color and movement.
Q. Tell us what you know about the history of "The Nutcracker."
A. In 1891, world renowned choreographer Marius Petipa commissioned Peter Tchaikovsky to compose music for an adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffman's tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King." Since then, "The Nutcracker" has been the most widely performed ballet in the world.
Q. What's the appeal of doing "The Nutcracker" from your point of view?
A. "The Nutcracker" is a holiday tradition and the performance is a great opportunity for us to showcase our students to the public. For our dancers, the show is a barometer of where they are in their training and it is a tangible means to set goals.
Q. What makes your production fabulous? How is it different from other productions?
A. Our production is colorful, festive and magical and tells the story beautifully in a way everyone can appreciate. We perform at a state-of-the-art theatre with professional costumes, backdrops and guest artists. Our production is different from most others in that we offer principal roles to our most senior female students. Many other companies hire out for the principal female roles. We do hire principal male dancers from major ballet companies throughout the country.
Q. Without giving too much away, is there a "don't miss" moment, and when does it come?
A. One "don't miss" moment is our percussive tap sequence in the battle scene when the Rat King (in tap shoes) and The Nutcracker Prince fight each other with swords.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What:</b> Illinois Youth Dance Theatre presents "The Nutcracker"</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Lake Zurich Performing Arts Center, 300 Lake St.</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $25 Adults, $20 Senior/Student, Orchestra Level; $20 Adults, $15 Senior/Student, Gold Level; $15 Adults, $10 Senior/Student; Silver Level</p> <p class="News"><b>More info: </b>(815) 675-9359 or <a href="http://dancepasg.com" target="new">dancepasg.com</a></p>