By DR. GINGER GABRIEL
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
As we move from baseball season to the holidays, our schedules are carefully planned to include all the kids’ activities and adult parties.
If you have lived on the mountain for a minute or two, tickets to the Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker will be first on your list. The Nutcracker runs from December 5-7 at the San Manuel Performing Arts Center in San Bernardino (2772 N. Sterling Ave.). Tickets can be purchased at www.arrowheadballet.org or call 909-336-1359.
Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company (LACBC) was founded in 1993 by Sharon McCormick. There is both a school and a ballet company. The Lake Arrowhead School of Dance has been a second home for many of the athletes living on our mountain. Classes are taught by professional faculty to provide a structured graded curriculum. The school offers classes in classical ballet, jazz, tap and related disciplines. McCormick founded the school with a philosophy that promotes dance as an enriching, disciplined art form for the student desiring to be a professional dancer or finding dance a self-enriching experience. The school, located in the lower level at the Lake Arrowhead Village overlooking the marina, also houses a truly unique gift shop.
The young ladies performing The Nutcracker have discovered joy in training to produce something beautiful on the stage. Three graduating Rim of the World High School ballerinas found their passion for dance while in preschool, watching a performance of The Nutcracker. ”The senior dancers, Grace Stout, Nina Hidajat and Molly Galbreath have each been dancing for an average of fourteen years. That means that they have danced in The Nutcracker most of their lives. These ladies could teach a course about commitment, dedication and loyalty,” said Sharon McCormick, Artistic Director of Lake Arrowhead Classical Ballet Company.
Grace Stout performs with the young mirlitons.
In previous interviews, McCormick’s students have been quoted saying, “I’ve learned how to express myself though movement.” “Ballet has taught me responsibility and dedication.” “Dance has been my passion since I was three.” “Dance has shaped my life in profound ways.” “It’s taught me discipline, creativity and the importance of teamwork.” “I attribute my hard-working nature to Sharon McCormick’s vigorous teaching. I hope to make her proud in every endeavor.”
There are no speaking parts in the traditional ballet of The Nutcracker. The story is told through dance, music and pantomime.
The Nutcracker has become a classic Christmas ballet. It is a story about a girl named Clara (danced by Nina Hidajat) who receives a nutcracker doll (danced by Tomlin), during an elaborate Christmas party hosted by her parents. After her guests leave, Clara falls asleep and dreams of the Nutcracker coming to life to defend her against the Mouse King, who tries to take over the house. There is a fight between the evil Mouse King and his army and the Nutcracker.
The Second act features the Nutcracker who comes to life as a prince and takes Clara on a magical journey to the Kingdom of Sweets. There, they are entertained by various dancers representing different sweets, including Spanish Chocolate, Arabian Coffee, Chinese Tea and Russian Trepak. Then, the Sugar Plum Fairy (beautifully danced by Elan Alekzander) performs a final dance with the Nutcracker Prince.
For many, it is Tchaikovsky’s melody that draws the public in. The young ladies frequently told me that they hope the people in the audience sense the magic in The Nutcracker and feel the same joy that they feel when they dance to Tchaikovsky’s music. They frequently say they “learn discipline, teamwork, time management, build confidence, and learn to interpret music.”
Share their joy and get your tickets now at www.arrowheadballet.org.
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