Let the magic begin

Clara (Katelyn Fritz) receives a nutcracker gift. This scene is from the 2005 Nutcracker Gala. Photos by Ralph Stewart

By Anna Marie D'Addarie - November 30, 2006

Few holiday traditions can measure up to the magic of the Nutcracker ballet. We are fortunate indeed to have the Nutcracker Gala performed each year right here on the Island.

The ballet is sponsored by the Children in the Arts of Martha's Vineyard. Dancing with the visiting professionals will be the largest group of children ever from the Martha's Vineyard School of Ballet. In addition, more than a dozen Island adults will dance in the opening party scene as the maid, the parents and grandparents. The Rev. Jerry Fritz of Edgartown will play the role of Herr Drosselmyer and dance with his daughter Katelyn who will play Clara again this year.

As always, the Nutcracker Gala will include all the magic of dancing life-sized dolls, a Christmas tree that grows right before your eyes, tiny ballerinas appearing from under Mother Ginger's skirt, and the Rat King battling the Nutcracker.

A classic battle of good vs. evil in Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker."

This year two principal dancers from the Milwaukee Ballet will guest star. Dale Jordan will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cristian L. Konig will perform the Cavalier. Ms. Jordan is from Long Island, N.Y., and trained with Kaleria Fedechiva, the Seiskaya Ballet Academy, Maggie Black, and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School. She danced with the Sarasota Ballet in Florida and has performed such roles as pas de trios and four little swans in "Swan Lake." Ms. Jordan is a soloist with the Milwaukee Ballet.

Mr. Konig is from Cali, Colombia and trained with the Colombian Institute for Classical Ballet. He is a graduate of the National Ballet School in La Habana, Cuba. A principal dancer for the Milwaukee Ballet, Mr. Konig received an award for outstanding achievements in the arts from the Colombian government.

Tonya and Coby Vincent from the Cape Cod Ballet will dance the roles of the Snow Queen and King.

Bring some magic into your holiday by attending the "Nutcracker Gala" this weekend.

Nutcracker Gala Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 2 pm, Performing Arts Center, high school, Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs. Tickets $25 for preferred seating or $15 for general admission. For more information, call 508-627-9644.