The Nutcracker in Tenth Season on the Renaissance Stage
November 15th, 2007
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Barb Byrd, Marketing Manager
Call: 419-522-2726
Fax: 419-524-7005
Email: barb@mansfieldtickets.com
Website: www.mansfieldtickets.com
MANSFIELD, OHIO. The Renaissance Performing Arts Association, Embarq, and The Gorman Rupp Company present The Nutcracker with Ashland Regional Ballet (ARB) and the Mansfield Symphony on Saturday, December 15th at 2:30PM and 8PM and Sunday, December 16th at 2:30PM in the Renaissance Theatre. Tickets are on sale at the Renaissance Box Office, Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm, by calling 419-522-2726 and online at www.MansfieldTickets.com. Tickets are $28.50, $22.50, and $12.50. The new Renaissance $10 ticket offer applies to this show. $10 tickets (seating is in the back row of the balcony) may be purchased beginning two hours before each performance, in person at the Renaissance Box Office, and there is a limit of four $10 tickets per person.
For over 100 years audiences have delighted in the music, dance, and the drama that is The Nutcracker. The Renaissance Performing Arts Association, Ashland Regional Ballet, and The Mansfield Symphony are excited to bring this holiday classic to the Renaissance stage for the tenth consecutive season. Each year Ashland Regional Ballet adds something new and exciting to the production to keep it fresh for both the dancers and the audience members alike, and this year is no exception. Through generous funding from the Richland County Foundation, an exciting new set for Scene I, The Stahlbaum Home, will be debuted this season. The new set was designed by Mansfielder Robbie Keplar, with construction and scenic painting done by Schell Scenic Studios in Columbus. The finishing work and implementation is being completed by Keplar and ARB Technical Director Don Pontious. Included is a new Christmas tree, which replaces the tree that was built for the original production in 1992.
The full cast boasts seventy dancers from the Ashland/Mansfield area and surrounding counties. Principal roles will be danced by members of Ashland Regional Ballet with the role of Clara being danced by Ashland Regional Ballet member Anna Barnes. Anna is a senior at Ashland High School and has danced many roles in The Nutcracker from Party Girl to Clara. Her Nutcracker/Prince will be Robert Wesner of Ashland, longtime associate of ARB. Portraying the Sugarplum Fairy is Wesner's wife Brooke, also a longtime company member.
Ashland Regional Ballet members in principal roles are Ashlanders Kaylee Schuster (Coffee), Molly Daubenspeck (Tea), Jennifer Doyle (Flower Queen), and Brittany Dusz with Taylor Noe from Mansfield (Waltz of the Flowers soloists). Lydia Hawley of Homerville will dance the Candy Cane solo with Mansfielder Grace Lenehan and Ashlander Morgan White appearing with her. White will also portray the Harlequin Doll. Also appearing in principal roles are Mansfielders Ellie Thompson (Chocolate), and Kassie Sliney as Ballerina Doll along with the newly created role of Marzipan Shepherdess, with Allie Amstutz (Shelby), Elizabeth Bernhard (Shiloh), Alexandria Carlisle-Dye (Ashland), and Christina Lindhout (Mansfield) as Marzipan Sheep. Lindhout will also portray Clara's mischievous brother Fritz, with Bruce Sliney of Mansfield as their father, Dr. Stahlbaum. Company members Molly Daubenspeck, Anna Bentley, Emily Ehrmantraut, Mollie Lewis, Jenna Riley, Kaylee Schuster, Nacara Starnes, and Melisa Strausbaugh of Ashland, and Kassie Sliney and Ellie Thompson of Mansfield will dance Waltz of the Flowers joined by Melanie Vandermeir and Ann Tager of Mansfield.
Guest artists returning for encore performances are Jeff Haffner of Cleveland who will reprise his role of Godfather Drosselmeyer, along with Matt Bugay, Ashland University Theatre student, who will portray the dual role of Grandfather/Rat King.
In addition to the wonderful dancing by ARB company members, audiences will be treated to an exceptionally strong cast of youngsters who bring excitement and great energy to this historical favorite. Jane Carcione and Kjersten McKinniss from Mansfield, Abigail Strausbaugh (Ashland), Janelle Ferguson (West Salem), Sydney Hines (Bellville), and Nellie Turner (Perrysville) will dance the Candy Cane corps de ballet. The Tea corps de ballet includes Zoe Jenkins and Rachel Stimpert of Ashland, and Mansfielders Allison Hickox, Sabrina Lindhout and Sophie Reel. Members of the Mansfield Symphony Chorus and the Richland Academy Children's Opera Theatre will make up The Snow Chorus.
The Nutcracker is choreographed and staged by Ashland Regional Ballet Founder/Director, Hellie Schussler with additional choreography by Robert Wesner. Guest conductor Jason Seber will be at the helm of the Mansfield Symphony for The Nutcracker performances. Lighting design is by Don Pontious, set design by Robbie Keplar and Don Pontious, with costumes by Robbie Keplar and Barbara Reed. ARB dancers appear through the sponsorship of Lippert Enterprises, Inc. For additional information about the ballet call 419-289-3581 or email to opusarb@zoominternet.net.
The Nutcracker is presented by the Renaissance Performing Arts Association, Embarq, and The Gorman Rupp Company and with support from the Ohio Arts Council. Media sponsorship is provided by WMAN and Y105.