It has been three years, but the time has come to announce the return of a Marshall holiday season favorite. Area dancers will take the stage in the Marshall Community Ballet’s, The Nutcracker Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on the 28th at Marshall High School’s Center for the Performing Arts.
This year marks the 25th anniversary since the first Marshall production in 1996.
The Nutcracker came to Marshall when resident Sally Bulgarelli began toying with the idea of spearheading a community production of the Nutcracker Ballet. Bulgarelli and choreographer Tricia Taylor, then a dance student at Western Michigan University, teamed up to make The Nutcracker a reality as the Marshall Community Ballet Company was born.
This year’s show will be directed by Brianna Novak, owner of Dance Dynamics and Tricia (Taylor) Hilton, who has been a part of every Nutcracker production. The show will be produced by Sara Zeuklhe Conine and Jenna Graeber.
There are dozens of other dance teachers, parents and volunteers who diligently work to make sure that this production is a success.
Tryouts for those between the age of 8-18 were held in late August and practices began shortly thereafter.
This is Novak’s first year as co-director and she said those assisting with the production have been invaluable.
“We have an amazing group of choreographers that include Colleen McElroy, Kathryn Grable, Angela Gerten, Beau Hutchings, Kirsten Hall and Marissa Burghdorf,” said Novak. “This will be our first show since 2018 and we have lots of new surprises in this and hope the community comes out to support these amazing dancers on the weekend of Thanksgiving!”
This year’s cast:
Drosselmeyer: Mara Tiernan
Drosselmeyer’s Assistant: Scarlett Melton, Ava Metheny, Addy Bak, Avery Tiernan
Soldier Doll: Kendall Melton
Columbine Doll: Juliana Frigerio
Harlequin: Abby Geairn
Prince: Jackson Graeber
Clara: Zadie Zuehlke Understudy: Maeley Hydrick
Clara’s Mom: Helene Hilton
Fritz: Marley Albrecht
Party guests : Alexis Palmer, Alexis Avery, Makenna Groeneveld, Hallie Machalka, Ellory Albrecht, Brooke Woodworth, Kylie Shedd, Lizzy Loyer, Alanna Smith, Ayla Zienert, Abby Ellis, Mary Claire Davis, Olivia Butler, Hailee-Mae Eldred, Amelia Kotas, Alexis Fitch, Elliana Ebner, Ella Domingo, Madeline Kue and Maeley Hydrick.
Mice: Amelia Damron, Lexi Hart, Cora Mae Davis, Morgan Dale, Kinlee Dermyer, Kennedy Kauffman, Monroe Melton, Brooklyn Tucker, Kylee Battles, Brynley Swallow, Sofia Swift, Aerianna Vaughn
Mouse Queen: Alexis Palmer
Head Soldier: Alexis Avery
Soldier Ensemble: Autumn Jaynes, Kylie Shedd, MacKenzie Heath, Bailey Everdeen, Hailee Mae Eldred, Alanna Smith, Maddie Kue, Kamree Novak, Arielle Luzadder
Candy Canes: Quinn Russell, Maeve Russell, Violet Groeneveld, Amaya Dubois, Alaina Dysinger, Isabella Russell, Caidee Yarbro, Delaney Flynn
Snowflakes: Sophia Andalon, Adriana Domingo, Aubrey Dysinger, Julianna Frigerio Anderson Welker, Sadie Reed, Isabella Peck, Leah McPartlin, Samantha Stults, Whitney Ivey
Icicle Duet: Ellory Albrecht, Brooke Woodworth
Snow Queen: Makenna Groeneveld
Snow Princess: Hallie Machalka
Sugar Plum Fairy: Helene Hilton Understudy: Alexis Fitch
King: Stephen Smith
Spanish Soloist: Kylie Shedd
Spanish Ensemble: Alexis Avery, Abigail Geairn
Arabian Soloist: Lizzy Loyer
Arabian Ensemble: Kylie Kirk, Maeley Hydrick, Brooke Woodworth, Ellory Albrecht
Russian Soloist: Alanna Smith
Russian Ensemble: Taylor Bohney, Amy Holben
Chinese Soloist: Ayla Zienert
Chinese Ensemble: Addison Bak, Leah McPartlin, Kamree Novak
Mirliton Soloist: Abby Ellis
Mirliton Attendants: Mary Claire Davis, Olivia Butler
Mirliton Ensemble: Kayla Smith, Adrienne Dysinger, Addison Groeneveld, Aubrey Tarkiewicz, Mackenzie Allen, Maria Andalon
Mother Ginger: Hailee Mae Eldred
Bon Bons: Kenney Hughes, Brailynn Dermyer, Avery Tiernan, Ava Metheny, Oliva Kotas, Kendall Melton, Annabelle Davis, Brooklyn Schoch
Dew Drop Soloist: Amelia Kotas
Flower Dew Drops: Aislyn Miller, Arianna Woodliff, Isabella Walters, Zophi Zuehlke, Mallorie Holbrook, Maci Williams, Addison Madre, Charlie Smith
Flower Soloist: Alexis Fitch
Flower Attendants: Elliana Ebner, Ella Domingo
Jr. Flower Attendants: Madeline Kue, Maeley Hydrick
Flower Ensemble: Violet Holbrook, Savannah Reed, Anderson Welker, Allie Sworst, Harper Snyder, Scarlett Melton, Bailey Everdeen, Lilli Welker
“This production could never happen without the leadership from the talented adults that work with these dancers,” said Novak.
While the directors try to stay faithful to the music and story line, Novak noted there are always “special touches” added to make the production different from the last. This year each soloist is creating a pointe shoe to represent their character.
“We will also feature an opening number, some added characters and some new choreography in many scenes,” said Novak.
Tickets for The Nutcracker are now on sale and can be purchased online by going to http://www.dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/mcbc Tickets can also be purchased at the door prior to showtime.