CHILDREN'S EDITION PROGRAM
Sponsored by
Celebrating 10 years
Artistic Director • Jennifer Agbay Music • Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Conductor • Eric Culver
Performed by The Hanover Theatre Nutcracker Orchestra
Story • E.T.A. Hoffman Choreography • Jennifer Agbay, Jamie Brown, Mark Harootian, Ana Luisa Thompson-Konopka and Jolanta Valeikaite Production Stage Manager • Kim Pheymannicie Stage Manager • Stacy Weisberg Crew Chief • Mark Underkofler Lighting Designer • Brenda Shepard Sound Designer • Nick Joyce Set Design • Jim DiBonaventura, Spruce Mill Set Design, Margo Law and parent volunteers of The Nutcracker production Wardrobe Mistress • Beth Laperle Costumes • Nancy Smith, Bernadette Genatossio, Julie McGowan, Beth Laperle and Freda Bromberg Props • Lori Haddad, Jeffrey Underkoffler, Jim DiBonaventura, Michael Armour and parent volunteers of The Nutcracker production Photos: Mike Nyman
Theatre Etiquette
• Be sure to use the restroom before the show! You don’t want to miss any of the action. • Turn your cell phones off. • Keep your feet off the back of the seats. • Photography is never allowed! • It is standard etiquette to applaud at the end of the show. Not only are you applauding for the performers, but also the hard work that everyone has put in behind the scenes! • Above all, the theatre is truly a special place. Unlike movies or TV shows, what you see onstage is happening right before your eyes. The performers are giving their all, so it’s important that you give them your full attention.
The Cast of The Nutcracker PROLOGUE CAST...................Chestnut Girl: Tammi Novia; Chestnut Family: J. Denali Herbert, ........................................................Emma Jalbert, Hanna Moy, Vince Calandra; Tree Vendor: Donald LeBlanc ........................................................Sled Girl & Father: Matthew Polsky and Leah LeBlanc; ........................................................Prologue Military Family: : Emma LeBlanc, Talia Smith, ........................................................Annabelle Thibodeau , Aiden Powers, Sarah Underkofler, Evan Underkofler, ........................................................Sophia Calandra, Jim Courtney ........................................................Chorus: Members of the Youth Ballet Company of Worcester ACT I • PARTY SCENE Clara Silberhaus........................Leland Pierce Fritz Silberhaus .........................Kenneth Andy Lane Herr Drosselmeyer....................Corey Scott Frau Silberhaus..........................Ana Luisa Thompson-Konopka (The Hanover Theatre Conservatory, THTC) Herr Silberhaus..........................Sean Kelley (THTC) Maids ...........................................Shannon Courtney, Cecilia Januszewski Kissy Doll.....................................Grace Armour Soldier Doll.................................Cast 1: Isabella Lanzarini; Cast 2: Sydney Duby Party Parents..............................Sophia Calandra, Vince Calandra, Sonia Chimienti, Bill Costa, ........................................................Jim Courtney, Charlotte McNutt (THTC), Donald Leblanc, ........................................................Gillian Murphy (BAW Alumna), Melissa Monreau (BAW Alumna), ........................................................Matthew Polsky Party Girls....................................Elizabeth Buonomo, Noel Rose DeRosa, J. Denali Herbert, Emma Jalbert, ........................................................Emma LeBlanc, Leah LeBlanc, Veronica Maher, Calle Merchant, ........................................................Hanna Moy, Madison Rizzo, Talia Smith, Annabelle Thibodeau, Ava Tselios, ........................................................Sarah Underkofler Party Boys ...................................Jack Greene, Jed McManus, Aiden Powers, Evan Underkofler
ACT I • BATTLE SCENE The Nutcracker Prince.............Jay Markov (Festival Ballet Providence) Mice...............................................Cast 1: Alexandra Bruce, Tiana Cheng, Adrianna Cook, Ava Gagnon, ........................................................Amy Li, Olivia Jankowski, Thais Koffi, Carmela Renzoni, Mikel Roth, ........................................................Brylee Tycz ........................................................Cast 2: Emma Appleby, Maria Busenburg, Naomi Durost, Caitlin Flynn, ........................................................Ariana Garcia, Cara Klatt, Maia Bickford-Loy, Katherine Totman, ........................................................Victoria Totman, Lillian Warner Rats................................................Jordan Cullen, Alexis Goodwin, Molly Hachey, Morgan Holmes, ........................................................Sydney Olsen Lead Soldier................................Teddy Grillo Soldiers.........................................Cast 1: Laura Benway, Brielle Christenson, Caitlin Diaz, Gabriella Dube, ........................................................Brooke Farrington, Ainsleigh Flanagan, Sarah Garner, Anya Kelley, ........................................................Hannah Schoemer, Madison Teal Cast 2: Annabelle Adams, Ava D’Eon, Amelia Hoeffler, Arianna Lemerise, ........................................................Allie Mae Macrelli, Elizabeth McCloud, Kendall Olsen, Brianna Pascale, ........................................................Elena Polsky, Dahlia Welland Rat Queen...................................Gianna Grici Mini Rat Queen Doll................Mary Battersby Mini Nutcracker Doll................Vanessa Chen
The Cast of The Nutcracker ACT I • LAND OF SNOW Snow Queen...............................Eugenia Zinovieva (Festival Ballet Providence) Snow King...................................Alexander Akulov (Festival Ballet Providence) Reindeer.......................................Elle Angarita, Caroline Adams, Sophia Chimienti, Lorelai Collette, Nia Jones, ........................................................Ariana Jurski, Alyson Marcinkus, Alba Martinez, Megan MacDonald, ........................................................Olivia Moyal, Rosalia Renzoni, Anthea Sun, Zoe Welland Snow Corps de Ballet..............Sophia Agbay, Grace Armour, Gwyneth Bechunas, Maia Beaudry, ........................................................Danyelle Gordon, Nina Zurawski
Intermission (20 minutes) ACT II • ANGELS Angel Principal .........................Cast 1: Nina Zurawski Cast 2: Danyelle Gordon Angels ..........................................Micaela Christenson, Renee Dube, Annabella Ferraiuolo, Mira Filipkowski, ........................................................Catherine Fleming (Cast 1) Nora Foley, Aelic Lynch (Cast 2) Molly Hachey, ........................................................Morgan Holmes, Karly Matosky, Sydney Olsen, Sierra Racine, ........................................................Elizabeth Schoemer Small Angels ..............................Keeyanah Hutzenbiler, Abbi Lane, Casey Reid, Morgan Soule, ........................................................Annabelle Thibodeau, Hailey Williamson ACT II • LAND OF SWEETS Spanish Soloist ......................Cast 1: Gwyneth Bechunas; Cast 2: Nina Zurawski Arabian Princess ......................Cast 1: Erin Stomski; Cast 2: Ana Luisa Thompson- Konopka (THTC) Arabian Attendants.................Teddy Grillo, Aiden Powers, Francisco Sanchez, Noah Serr Chinese Principal .....................Cast 1: Grace Armour; Cast 2: Gwyneth Bechunas Chinese Corps de Ballet.........Cast 1: Arianna Calandra, Megan Costa ........................................................Cast 2: Maia Beaudry, Cecilia Januszewski Russian Principal ......................Isabella Lanzarini Russian Corps de Ballet..........Cast 1: Shannon Courtney, Sydney Duby, Cecilia Januszewski, Taylor Oskin ........................................................Cast 2: Megan Costa, Arianna Calandra, Shannon Courtney, Taylor Oskin Shepherdess ..............................Sophia Agbay White Sheep ..............................Ella Conners, Emily Dupuis, Eva Pierce, Lia Tselios Black Sheep ...............................Madeline Moyal Mother Ginger ..........................Corey Scott Polichinelles ..............................Elise Drake, Charlotte Fredette, Kalin Iagallo, Kaitlyn Kenney, Riley Moody, ........................................................Kaiya Murphy, Jocelyn Ortiz., Fayelinn Poplawski, Kaiden Quinn, ........................................................Lilian Vaillancourt ACT II • WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS Corps de Ballet .........................Sophia Agbay, Grace Armour, Gwyneth Bechunas, Maia Beaudry, ........................................................Paige Doku (THTC Alumna Cast 2) Gabriela Gil (THTC Alumna Cast 1), ........................................................Danyelle Gordon, Gianna Gricci, Nina Zurawski Dew Drop Fairy ........................Rachele Perla (BAW Alumna, Ailey/Fordham University BFA) Sugarplum Fairy........................Ashley Baszto (Orlando Ballet) Cavalier ........................................Telmo Moreira (Ballet Master, Rock School)
The Story of Act I Prologue - On a snowy Christmas Eve, Drosselmeyer puts the finishing touches on a magical Nutcracker. It’s his gift for the Silberhaus family, who have invited him to join their holiday festivities. Customers pass by his shop and Drosselmeyer displays his toys and clocks. Later that evening, outside of the Silberhaus’ house, the street bustles with preparations for the holidays. Drosselmeyer arrives with his beautifully wrapped gift. Christmas Eve Party Scene - In the Silberhaus’ sitting room, the family prepares for their party. Clara, Fritz, and their parents greet their guests as they arrive. The children jump with glee at the sight of the beautiful Christmas tree. As they play with new Christmas toys, Herr Silberhaus invites the guests to dance. Drosselmeyer, known as “Uncle Drosselmeyer” to the Silberhaus children, makes a grand entrance and entertains the families with magic. The children are delighted by an acrobatic soldier doll and a beautiful, life-sized ballerina. Drosselmeyer then opens his gift and presents the nutcracker to Clara. Captivated, she dances with the magical doll. Fritz is envious. He mischievously pulls the Nutcracker from his sister’s hands, breaking it. Drosselmeyer carefully bandages the doll and returns it to Clara, who plays with it gently. As the hour grows late, guests drift home and the Silberhaus family heads upstairs to bed. The Battle Scene - Too excited to sleep, Clara returns to the darkened sitting room in search of her Nutcracker doll. As the clock strikes midnight, she falls asleep on the sofa with her treasured Nutcracker in her arms. As Clara dreams, she relives memories of the evening. Deep within her dream, Uncle Drosselmeyer appears and mends the Nutcracker doll. As Clara wakens into her dream, her house begins to expand around her. Drosselmeyer makes the Christmas tree grow wondrously large over now tiny Clara.
The Nutcracker Giant mice appear, frightening her. The Nutcracker doll comes to life to defend Clara. He summons an army of toy soldiers and a fierce battle ensues. The ferocious Rat Queen challenges the Nutcracker to a duel. Clara’s quick thinking helps the Nutcracker defeat the Rat Queen. Magically, Drosselmeyer transforms the Nutcracker into a dashing Prince. The Prince thanks Clara for saving him, and together they embark on an enchanting journey through the Land of Snow. Land of Snow - As snow falls, snowflakes begin to dance. The Snow Queen and King send Clara and the Prince off to their next adventure in a beautiful sleigh. Act II The Land of Sweets - Before Clara and the Prince enter the Land of Sweets, they encounter angels that guide them along on their journey. The Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes Clara and the Prince to the Land of Sweets and asks them to tell her about the adventure that brought them to her world. The Prince recounts his battle with the Rat Queen and describes Clara’s bravery. The Sugar Plum Fairy commands a festival of dancing to honor her guests. The celebration beings with a lively Spanish dancer and continues with the entrance of the Arabian Princess and her attendants. Chinese dancers perform a fast dance before Russian dancers leap and twirl across the stage. A Shepherdess appears to dance with her little sheep before Mother Ginger arrives with her Polchinelles. The Dew Drop Fairy and her flowers perform a beautiful waltz before the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier end the celebration with their grand pas de deux. Once the celebration ends, the Sugar Plum Fairy waves goodbye to Clara and The Prince as Clara drifts off to sleep. Christmas Morning - Clara awakens, still smiling from her joyous dream. It is Christmas morning, and the Nutcracker is safe in her arms.
Characters You can usually tell who a character is by looking at the costume they are wearing. Read below to find out what each of the characters will be dressed in and see if you can spot them all! Clara is the young girl who is the heroine of the story. She receives the Nutcracker doll at her parent’s annual holiday party, which begins the adventure. She wears a pretty cream colored dress and a nightgown. Fritz is Clara’s mischievous younger brother. He breaks the Nutcracker Doll. He wears a velvet suit with ruffles around the neck. Herr Drosselmeyer is Clara’s godfather, a toy maker, and also a mysterious, fun loving magician. His holiday gift to Clara is the Nutcracker doll. He wears dark colors, a long cape and an eye patch. Herr and Frau Silberhaus are Clara and Fritz’s parents and hosts of the holiday party where Clara receives the Nutcracker doll. They wear fancy party clothes like their adult guests. The Nutcracker is the Nutcracker Doll and handsome man who is brought to life by Drosselmeyer. He leads the toy soldiers in battle with the Rat Queen. He looks similar to the doll that Clara receives from Drosselmeyer. The Rat Queen is an evil, scary creature that along with her rats and mice, battles the Nutcracker and toy soldiers. She is large and wears a crown and cape. The Snow Queen & King are the protectors of the enchanted Kingdom of Snow that Clara passes through on her way to the Land of Sweets. They dress in white and dance a beautiful Pas de Deux (dance for two people). The Sugarplum Fairy & Cavalier are the guardians of the enchanted Land of Sweets. They welcome Clara with an international celebration of many dances. They dress in classical ballet costumes: a tutu for the Sugar Plum Fairy and a tunic for her Cavalier. They dance a beautiful Pas de Deux at the end of Clara’s visit. Other characters that Clara meets along the way include Mother Ginger, dancing flowers, and many dancers from faraway lands such as Spain, Arabia, China and Russia.
Intermission Activities
Guess the Characters
After reading the character descriptions, try to guess which characters are in the pictures below!
2)
3)
Answers: 1) Sugarplum Fairy & Cavalier 2) Clara 3) Snow Queen & King
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Ballet Basics While it may look like everything the dancers are doing on stage is easy for them, it actually takes lots of practice to be a ballet dancer! Ballet is a very special type of dance that began as early as the year 1500. In ballet, there are 5 basic feet positions that every dancer learns when they are just starting out. Check them out below!
Common Ballet Terms
Many of the terms used in ballet are French words. Check out some of them below and impress your friends and family with this fancy vocabulary! Ballerina - a female dancer in a ballet company. Choreographer - a person who composes or invents ballets or dances. Choreography - describes the steps, combinations, and patterns of a ballet or dance. Pointe Shoes - the satin ballet shoes used by dancers when dancing on their pointes (toes). Pointe shoes are reinforced with a box constructed of numerous layers of strong glue in between layers of material. Pointe shoes are not made of cement or wood. Tutu - the short classical ballet skirt made of many layers of net. A romantic tutu is a long net skirt
reaching below the calf. Pas de Deux - a dance for two. Barre - a horizontal bar (usually made of wood) along a studio wall for class exercises. Every ballet class begins with barre exercises. Arabesque (Ah rah besk) - a position on one leg with the other leg raised behind the body and extended in a straight line. Plié (plee ay) - means bent, bending of the knee or knees. Turn-out - The dancer turns his or her feet and legs out from the hip joints to a 90-degree position. Pirouette (peer o wet) - a rotation or spin - a complete turn of the body on one foot, on pointe or demi-pointe (half-pointe).
After the show . . . We hope you enjoyed this performance of The Nutcracker! To remember this wonderful experience, use these spaces to describe your memories of your favorite moments, costumes, characters and dances.
My Favorite Moments
My Favorite Costumes
My Favorite Characters
My Favorite Dances
This program belongs to : ______________________________________ I saw The Nutcracker on: _______________________________________ I saw the show with: __________________________________________
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