Ballet company presents 30th year of 'Nutcracker'
Megan Rediger, Anika Bennetts, Katie Carr, Megan Rediger, Kylee Brewer perform in the “Nutcracker” over Thanksgiving weekend at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo courtesy Trevon Baker Photography)
Regan Tintzman performs as the Snow Queen in the Northwest Ballet Company’s production of the “Nutcracker” “ over Thanksgiving weekend at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo courtesy Trevon Baker Photography)
This year marks the 30th year the Northwest Ballet Company has been entertaining Flathead Valley audiences with their “Nutcracker” productions.
Director Marisa Roth is excited to once again bring this classic Christmas story to life with five memorable performances running Nov. 23 through Nov. 25 at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts.
This year’s performances includes a cast of 47, and the show has participants from cities all over the Flathead and beyond, and schools from all over the community.
One of the homeschooled participants is senior Katie Carr who is a principal dancer with the Northwest Ballet Company.
“I would like to heartily thank the Northwest Ballet School and Flathead Valley for 11 years of support while I perform in the Nutcracker,” she said. “From my first year as a mouse, to this year as Clara, the holiday season wouldn’t be the same without this wonderful classical ballet. Gracious thanks to my community and blessings to all.”
Whitefish High School senior Regan Tintzman has the principal dance roll as the Snow Queen in this year’s performance.
“This role and dancing with this company is something like a dream, and the memories working with these ladies are not something I’m going to forget,” she said. “People leave a lasting impression and this company is a family to me.”
Company principal Megan Rediger is a senior from Glacier High School dancing the part of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
“The Northwest Ballet Company has been such an amazing family to me and I feel truly blessed to have been a part of the Nutcracker for the past seven years,” she said. “It’s unbelievable that this is my last year and I know that it will be very hard to say goodbye to this part of my life.”
Flathead High School senior and Company Demi-Soloist Anika Bennetts recalls, “One of the great parts about Nutcracker and the Northwest Ballet Company is everyone in company can pin point a time they saw the ballet and took that as inspiration to become the dancer they are now. When we perform we get to see that cycle continue.”
Tickets for reserved seating for this Thanksgiving weekend’s event are available now through Thursday, Nov. 22 at the Kalispell Grand Hotel, 100 Main Street, Kalispell, (406)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. 23 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 25 at 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.