Pinkerton Ballet Theatre will present its 17th annual production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Ballet” at the Carson City Community Center over Thanksgiving weekend. Performances will be Nov. 25 and 26 at 7 p.m., and end with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee on Nov. 27.
The Nutcracker has been a Carson City holiday tradition since 1989 under the artistic direction of Vickie McMaster and Ayako Britt. Although in its 17th year of production, Pinkerton’s Nutcracker brings new performers, stunning costumes and fresh choreography to the stage each year. McMaster and Britt work to create a new experience that will delight loyal and first-time viewers alike. A flying sleigh will once again light up the stage.
More than 80 performers, ages 3 to adult, make up the cast. They hail from Carson City, Reno, Sparks, South Lake Tahoe, Dayton, Minden, Yerington and Gardnerville, making this event more than just a local tradition. Featured guest artists travel from as far away as Los Angeles, Calif., and Richmond, Va., just to be a part of this holiday extravaganza.
Nationally renowned artist Tristi Ann McMaster, a native of Carson City, will reprise her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tristi was formerly a principal dancer for the Richmond Ballet and Washington Ballet, as well as a soloist with the Atlanta Ballet. Tristi’s husband, Norvell Robinson Jr., a native of Richmond, Va., will appear in the Arabian Coffee Pas de Deux. Norvell was a soloist and principal dancer in the Richmond Ballet for 16 years.
The role of the Cavalier will be performed by Alvaro Palau, who is dancing in his 10th season with the Washington Ballet. Palau, from Cali, Colombia, performed as a principal dancer at Ballet Contemporanio de Caracas for two years and as a soloist at Cali Ballet for four years.
Armen & Ruben Hagopian, professional Russian folk dancers from southern California, will make their eighth appearance in Pinkerton’s Nutcracker. The dancers have toured throughout the United States in prestigious ventures and never fail to please audiences with their impressive choreography.
Becca Kitchen, 16, of Carson City will play the part of Clara during the Friday and Sunday performances while Katie Lauer, 15, of Carson City performs the role during the Saturday performance. Both teens will also perform as Snow Queen. The role of Nutcracker/Prince will be performed by Sebastiani (Bubba) Romagnolo, 16, of South Lake Tahoe. Brianna Goodfellow, 13, will dance the part of the Dew Drop Fairy on Friday and Sunday while Becca Kitchen takes her turn during the Saturday performance.
Tickets are $24 (general admission) and $18 (seniors/students). Group rates are available. Tickets can be purchased at Sugar Pine Cove gift shop, 1087 S. Carson St., Carson City, or by calling (775) 884-4603 until Friday, Nov. 25 at noon. Tickets will also be available at the door starting 90 minutes prior to each performance. For more information, contact Beth Kitchen at (775) 882-6748.
