The tree is decorated, snow is forecast and Clara is headed to the Kingdom of the Sweets.
Once again, beginning the weekend of Dec. 8-10 and continuing through December 15-17, the Dalton Arts Project’s “Nutcracker’s” ballet magic will cast its spell. This enchanting production, set to Tchaikovsky’s 1892 score, heralds the start of the Christmas season and is a treasured tradition for many.
“The Nutcracker” ballet is the classic story of a young girl, Clara Stahlbaum, who enjoys a Christmas party with family and friends where her godfather, Drosselmeyer, presents her with a gift of a nutcracker. She then dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and a fierce battle against a Mouse King with seven heads.
After the Nutcracker Prince, Clara and their cute cavalry of soldiers defeat the Mouse King and his army of mischievous mice they head, guided by cherubic angels and dancing snowflakes, through the beautiful Winter Forest to the delicious Kingdom of Sweets. Once there, they are delighted by the spicy Spanish dancers, the pastoral Marzipan Shepherdesses and Lambs, the rambunctious Russian Candy Canes, the exotic Arabian dancers, the colorful Chinese Tea dancers, enormous Mother Ginger and her energetic Bon-Bons, and the lovely Waltz of the Flowers. The dream ends with an exquisite dance by the captivating Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier.
Dancing the role of Clara is the dream of many young dancers and requires much hard work and dedication. This year the coveted role will be performed by Thea Maret (Dec. 8-10) and Mikenley King (Dec. 15-17). They are members of the Dalton Arts Project’s Dalton Dance Company II where they study ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance at the Dance Theatre of Dalton.
Maret, daughter of Carla and Mike Maret, started dancing at age 5 at the Dance Theatre of Dalton and also has studied dance at the Dance Makers Convention. She is a ninth-grader at Dalton Junior High School.
She said, “’Nutcracker’ is all about dreams coming true, so this year is extra special because Clara has always been a dream of mine. I can truly say that every year the ‘Nutcracker’ gets better and more magical. One of my favorite memories was last year when my big sister, Shipley, and I had the privilege to dance together on the stage as Fritz and Grandma. Every single day that I’m dancing I make new memories with great friends that I will remember forever and I am so honored to be a part of something so amazing.”
King is the daughter of Summer and Ryan King and attends Dalton Junior High School as a ninth-grader. She has been dancing since she was 3 years old and in addition to her rigorous dance schedule throughout the school year she trained at the Joffrey South Ballet Summer Intensive, Chattanooga Ballet and Dance Makers Convention.
She said, “I enjoy dance because of the welcoming and supportive environment of the Dance Theatre of Dalton. I am so grateful to be able to do what I love with people I love. Dancing the role of Clara has always been a dream of mine, and I am honored to be a part of such a beloved community tradition. This year, I am excited to share the stage with my sisters, Miklayne and Mary Lee King. ‘Nutcracker’ is all about the magic of the holiday season, and I welcome everyone to come and enjoy the magic with us.”
“Nutcracker 2023,” presented by the Dalton Arts Project, will feature more than 300 local and guest performers for eight performances Friday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m., at the Colonnade theater, 264 Catoosa Circle in Ringgold.
For tickets, visit catoosacolonnade.com or call the Colonnade box office at (706) 935-9000.
Title sponsors for “Nutcracker 2023” are Mohawk, Textile Rubber and Chemical Co., the Colonnade theater, Shaw Industries, Direct Packaging, Coldwell Banker, Box 1, Engineered Floors, the Brown Whitworth Reynolds Foundation and Plexus/Catherine Minor.
Call the Dalton Arts Project at (706) 529-5664 for more information.