By Kathy L. Collins
The Brandon Ballet will perform the holiday classic The Nutcracker featuring innovative choreography by Artistic Director Octavio Martin. There will be four performances of Tchaikovsky’s seasonal ballet at Spoto High School Auditorium, located at 8538 Eagle Palm Dr. in Riverview. On Saturday, December 13 performances will be held at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 14 at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
“This year for the first time, the Brandon Ballet will be collaborating with Brandon High School’s Choir Department. More than 24 high school chorus students will be singing live during The Nutcracker. We are excited for this opportunity to work with a local school organization and to have live music at our performances,” said Christina Soto, Brandon Ballet administrative coordinator.
The Nutcracker is a fabulous production with lavish costumes, scenery and a glorious score. The Nutcracker tells the story of a little girl named Clara, who on Christmas Eve is given the gift of a wooden toy nutcracker from her Uncle Drosselmeyer. The toy leads Clara on a magical journey through an enchanted winter wonderland where she encounters dancing snowflakes, an elegant Snow Queen and the majestic Sugar Plum Fairy.
The Brandon Ballet was founded in 1993. It is a non-profit regional ballet company that develops and promotes opportunities for aspiring young dancers.
“It is our hope to continue to foster the arts and have live music at our productions, and possibly in the future to collaborate with other organizations,” said Soto.
The Brandon Ballet strives to make the performing arts accessible to the community. Tickets for this production are $25 for adults, $15 for children and students (18 and under) and $20 for seniors 55 and older.
Since its founding in 1993, the Brandon Ballet has worked to provide both its dancers with the highest caliber of professional training and the community with an education in the art of dance.
For more information on the Brandon Ballet, visit www.brandonballet.org or call 684-4282. To purchase tickets, visit www.tututix.com/brandonballet.
