The Nutcracker Diaries: Clara and First Love

Clara (Damara Cedillo) and Herr Drosselmeyer (Paul Fiorino) in Ballet Ariel's "The Nutcracker"

 Who among us has not experienced hearing "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" over the loudspeakers at every mall, Starbucks, and Walmart sinceThanksgiving? This piece was made famous by the beloved ballet "The Nutcracker," the story of a young Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. Have you ever wondered how this particular story became the most coveted Christmas tradition for so many ballet companies and schools around the world? What makes this particular story so special, and to be the one ballet produced every single year?

"The Nutcracker," based on the E.T.A. Hoffman tale "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," was choreographed for the Russian ballet company Mariinsky Ballet in 1892 by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov and has become one of the most beloved ballets in history. We first meet our heroine Clara at the center of her family's Christmas party. Damara Cedillo, who dances the role of Clara with Ballet Ariel this year, reminisced with us a bit about her history with this influential ballet: "Some of my fondest memories include being backstage with my mother for every performance of Joffrey’s Nutcracker, and being escorted around by many different prima ballerinas while my mother was playing in the orchestra pit… My first opportunity to dance the role of Clara was given to me just last year and I was terribly excited. The flood of emotions I experienced (I was a very romantic child) while watching the role came straight back while getting to dance the part myself."

Damara Cedillo as Clara in the Land of the Snow

 At the heart of this tale is not only the famous Nutcracker doll, but a young girl Clara who is growing up. Her beloved Nutcracker, after his battle with the evil Mouse King, sheds his soldier-like garb and transforms into a handsome Prince (Peter Strand and Kevin Burke alternate in this role). Among the dancing dolls, snowflakes, sweets, and amazing score by Tchaikovsky, we experience first love through Clara's eyes. Young as well older audience members will be dazzled by the colors, costumes, and the pure beauty of dance as Clara and her Prince travel through the Land of Snow and arrive in the Kingdom of the Sweets. In addition, the adults in our audience will remember the sweetness and innocence of what it feels like to fall in love for the first time.

The Ballet Ariel company and school open with this charming rendition of "The Nutcracker" in two days (Dec. 3rd, 2011). They perform for three weekends (first weekend at Rock Canyon High Theatre and second two weekends at Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre) so there are plenty of chances to experience this wonderful story through dance. More details below-- don't wait to purchase tickets and arrive to a sold out show!

Show info:

*Saturday, December 3rd at 7:30 pm, Rock Canyon High Theatre 
Address: 5810 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch, CO

*December 10th-11th & 17th-18th, all shows at 3 pm, Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre
Address: 119 Park Ave West; Denver, CO

***For tickets visit http://balletariel.org/

More information below:
Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/276147555757002/
Company website: balletariel.org (tickets available online here)

Nutcracker Sneak Peek Video!

Ballet Ariel's production of the holiday classic "The Nutcracker" gets bigger and more beautiful every year! This year promises to the the best yet. Don't miss this engaging and lovely version of one of the most famous ballets in history. We open in less than two weeks and offer three weekends of shows from December 3rd-18th.


Show info:
*December 3rd at 7:30 pm at Rock Canyon High Theatre
Address: 5810 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch, CO
*December 10th-11th & 17th-18th, all shows 3 pm at Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre
Address: 119 Park Ave West; Denver, CO

***For tickets visit http://balletariel.org/

More information below:
Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/276147555757002/
Company website: balletariel.org (tickets available online here)

It's Nutcracker time!

 The Ballet Ariel Nutcracker gets bigger and more beautiful every year!!

Our holiday favorite The Nutcracker features a delightful Christmas party, a stirring battle scene, dancing snowflakes and flowers, and beautiful costumes and choreography.  Celebrate the holiday season with this wonderful version of the popular ballet danced by our professional company and school students to the magical Tchaikovsky score. Peter Strand and Kevin Burke are featured as the Nutcracker Prince and Damara Cedillo as Clara. Gina Eslinger and Elvira Stewart alternate as the Sugar Plum Fairy, with Ryan Rose and Peter Strand alternating as Cavalier.

Ballet Ariel is offering five holiday performances of The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 3^rd at 7:30 pm at Rock Canyon High School, 5810 McArthur Ranch Road in Highlands Ranch, and Saturdays andSundays, December 10^th, 11^th, 17^th, and 18th at 3:00 pm at the historic Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre,119 Park Ave. West in Denver.  Tickets are $20.00 for adults, and $16.00 for students, seniors and children.  For performance and ticket information call 303-945-4388 or visit www.balletariel.org.

On December 10^th and 11^th we are offering a special benefit for local charities, Safehouse Denver and Servicios de la Raza.  Bring a donation of a new children’s toy to the performance, and children in the audience can present their gifts on stage before the performance.

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"Sorcerer's Apprentice"-- November 5-6th at Cleo Parker Robinson Theater

Welcome to Ballet Ariel's brand new blog! We are a local professional dance company in Denver bringing you exciting and innovative performances you won't see anywhere else. Here in our blog, you will find sneak peeks at what the company is up to, important tidbits about our upcoming shows, and interesting behind the scene stories about the company. We are up to quite a lot lately, so read on!

Company member Damara Cedillo as a Broom in "Sorcerer's Apprentice" (photo by Peter Strand)

The company is currently hard at work rehearsing for the fall concert, and the dancers have never looked better! This show will feature a spirited performance of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice (choreographed by artistic director Ilena Norton). The wonderful music made famous in Disney’s Fantasia is brought to life by dancing goblins and a bumbling apprentice. The company is also performing exciting scenes from Act 2 of Raymonda, the classical Petipa ballet, and a stunning new contemporary ballet The Messenger Within choreographed by Gregory Gonzales. Also on the bill is a preview of the "fairy dances" from the full length Cinderella (which the company will be presenting in its entirety in the spring!), including Fairy Godmother, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Fairies. This is not a show you want to miss. Check out the show times and info below and get your tickets before they sell out!

Show times and details:

Saturday, November 5, 7:30 pm & Sunday, November 6, 3 pm

Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre, 119 Park Ave West, Denver CO

$20- adults, $16- students/seniors/children 12 & under

***for tickets, visit balletariel.org, or call 303-945-4388 (at this number, you can also get details about the $52.80 arts week family package, and combo pricing for the fall concert/Nutcracker ($35/$26) )

(left to right) Company members Chelsea Cusack, Gina Eslinger, and Jessica Clayton as Brooms in "Sorcerer's Apprentice" (photo by Peter Strand)