This year’s Nutcracker gives a surprise gift

This year’s Nutcracker performance by the Centennial State Ballet will be giving a special present to the audience. In addition to the usual professional production quality that the company delivers annually at Niwot High School, there will be an all-new orchestra playing some of Tchaikovsky’s most memorable compositions.

The Centennial State Ballet (CSB) chamber orchestra is composed of musicians hand-picked by the CSB’s conductor, Rick Thomas. According to Heidi Lawrence, CSB’s marketing manager, this year’s ticket holders are in for treat.

“People who come each year will be impressed, because this chamber orchestra has elevated the performance to a new level, so it’s an even better experience than past years,” said Lawrence.

The Longmont Dance Theatre Academy is the training school for CSB dancers, so many of the students in this year’s Nutcracker performance have been dancing with CSB since they were four years old, and many have spent their entire dance career with CSB.

“It’s exciting to see,” said Lawrence, “because as the dancers progress to solo and lead roles in the Nutcracker, people who come each year begin to recognize the progression. Dancers will hear, ‘Oh, you were once an angel years ago, and now you’re a sugar plum fairy!’”

“Around this time each year, there are obviously a lot of local companies presenting their version, but for us, all of the soloist roles are high school students. The only person who isn’t is our guest artist, Matthew Helms of Boulder Ballet. But our boys that are in high school are now able to do that ‘heavy lifting’ and that beautiful partner work. It’s really unique.”

Lawrence added, “Our Nutcracker is a full-on professional production. To this day, I’m still astounded by the professional level of dedication and skill that these kids bring to their work.”

The 2018 performances will be presented on Dec. 21, 22, and 23 at Niwot High School (8989 Niwot Road). Tickets are on sale now online, and prices increase at the door. Visit http://www.centennialstateballet.org/performances for tickets and information.