SHARING THE STAGE

By WILL MADDOX |

FULGENCIO

eeny mice, soldiers and young sugar plum fairies dance alongside a teenage Clara and Fritz in this growing holiday tradition, the fourth-annual “Nutcracker Short ’N Suite” at Woodrow Wilson High School.

Numerous “Nutcracker” performances are danced around the city every Christmas, but there is often a serious time commitment and cost involved in these intricate performances. Woodrow’s “Short ’N Suite” allows families to participate without spending every night for weeks rehearsing, and hundreds of dollars on lessons and costumes.

Students from all over the Woodrow Wilson feeder pattern are invited to sign up and dance a role in the performance, providing exposure to the arts for families who may not have access to high-level instruction. The tradition was begun by former Woodrow dance teacher Lisa Moya, and is continued this year by Monica Reyes, who is in her first year with the dance program at Woodrow Wilson.

The hour-long show is a good fit for families who may not have the time or attention spans for the full ballet, but the ornate costumes and quality dancers give the performance a sense of professionalism.

According to Michele Matney, whose daughter is a dancer at Woodrow, last year’s performance included 60 elementary students, 25 students from J.L. Long and nearly 100 high school dancers and she hopes to have at least that many again this year.

Tickets for the show help fund the dance program, and will specifically go toward dancers attending the National High School Dance Festival at Point Park University in Pittsburg this winter. While at the prestigious dance university, Woodrow dancers will perform and be evaluated for dance scholarships and summer intensives while attending different genres of classes. Usually, students have to pay around $1,500 for airfare, lodging and attendance, but because of funds raised by the “Nutcracker,” Matney hopes students will be able to attend the trip for as little as $300.

“Nutcracker Short ’N Suite” runs Dec. 7 and 8 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 9 at noon at Woodrow Wilson High School. On Dec. 9 at 10:30 a.m., neighbors are invited to the Land of Sweets Breakfast, where they can take pictures with costumed Nutcracker characters and Santa Claus. Tickets for the show range from $6-$10 and the breakfast is $5. Tickets can be bought online at woodrowwildcats.org or at the door.

Patient Quote of the Month:

“The staff is cheerful. The chairs are comfortable and Dr. Slate handles her impressive collection of dental instruments with elegance and expertise! Be confident that when you leave Dr. Slate’s office your teeth will not only feel better, but they will also look better than when you arrived.”

— Robert Ackerman

Shaggy Dog

Edgar the Old English sheepdog rocks a pony tail like only he can. Owner Chris Youpa talks to Edgar like he’s a person, insisting that his furry hound understands 90 percent of what he hears. The dog was a familiar face when Youpa used to build sets for the Woodrow Wilson musical, considered a “semi Woodrow mascot.” Over the years, Edgar has developed a love for the patios at Mi Cocina, Chips, Truck Yard and Pints & Quarts. The 10-year-old tail-wagger is moving a little slower these days, but he still loves to walk around the lake and let his hair flow in the breeze for a ride in the truck or convertible. Edgar is a people pleaser, and when he is at the dog park, he spends more time visiting the humans than playing with other canines. “Everyone wants to pet him,” says Youpa, “and he knows it.”