'Nutcracker' ballet a holiday tradition
Trevon Baker photo Alexis Faulk stars as the Snow Queen, Olivia Ogle as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Stephanie Smith as Dew Drop in the Northwest Ballet’s production of the “Nutcracker.”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and one of the Northwest Ballet’s and Flathead Valley’s favorite Holiday traditions, the “Nutcracker” is coming soon to the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.
Yet another five spectacular performances featuring Northwest Ballet School dancers and community members portraying characters from an ageless story take place here this season, as well as by other companies in cities all over the world.
The is the company’s 23rd annual “Nutcracker” season.
“What a privilege it is for our humble Montana dance studio to perform this classic ballet over Thanksgiving weekend to our dedicated Flathead Valley audiences. Many dance schools around our state don’t even have this opportunity, much less do five shows over the duration of the weekend, and we feel so blessed by the artistic support from our home crowd,” said Company Director Marisa Roth.
With a company of 23 talented young ladies leading the way for a cast of approximately 60, along with the professionalism of the Northwest Ballet’s costume, lighting and tech departments, it’s another production not to be missed.
Company principal Olivia Ogle will have her final hurrah with the Northwest Ballet on this her last “Nutcracker.”
“The Nutcracker has been a huge part of my life for the 11 years I have been in it,” she said. “It’s crazy to think I went from being a 2-year-old watching in awe, to dancing the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy. I hope during my time I’ve been able to inspire the little ones coming, just as I too was inspired.”
Tickets for reserved seating for this Thanksgiving weekend’s event are available now until show days at the Kalispell Grand Hotel, 100 Main Street, Kalispell, 755-8100. On show days, tickets will be available at the Bigfork Center’s box office one hour before the performances start. Ticket prices are: $22 adults, $20 seniors 65 and over, and $15 children 12 and under.
Shows are Friday, Nov. 25, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 26, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 27, 4 p.m., at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. The ever-popular Sugar Plum Fairy Parade will follow the 2 p.m. matinées on Friday and Saturday.
For more information please call the Northwest Ballet at (406)755-0760, or www.northwestballet.com.