- December 27, 2024
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Bon Bon, played by Rhiley Albin, of Palm Coast. Photo courtesy of Michael Cairns
Joy Perry, of Ormond Beach. Photo courtesy of Michael Cairns
The Nutcracker Prince, played by Kelan Halloran, of Port Orange. Photo courtesy of Michael Cairns
Mouse King, played by Aiden Ibanez, of Palm Coast. Photo courtesy of Michael Cairns
Clara, played by Gabriella Palmer. Photo courtesy of Michael Cairns
For a quarter of a century, the Volusia Civic Ballet has been a presence in the community during the holidays, and this year is no exception.
Celebrating 25 years, the nonprofit organization is presenting three performances of "The Nutcracker" ballet at the Peabody Auditorium, located at 600 Auditorium Blvd., on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5. Featuring a cast of over 90 performers from 13 participating dance studios, and joined by professional guests from the Cincinnati Ballet, this year's production showcases choreography produced by 11 choreographers, according to a press release.
"The Nutcracker" follows the story of a young girl named Clara, starring Gabriella Palmer, who receives a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve from her magician godmother Frau Drosselmeyer (played by Valerie Betts). Clara then goes on a dream journey where she encounters the Mouse King (played by Aiden Ibanez, of Palm Coast) and she finds herself helping the Nutcracker (played by Kelan Halloran, of Port Orange) to overthrow the king before traveling through an enchanted snow forest where she meets characters like the Snow Queen (played by Ariel Starling, of Port Orange) and the Sugar Plum Fairy (played by Melissa Gelfin De-Poli, of the Cincinnati Ballet).
Rhiley Albin has been taking part in the ballet for the past three years.
“I love going on stage and just being able to perform," she said.
The 10-year-old Palm Coast resident has been dancing for most of her life, and said that "The Nutcracker" is one ballet audiences shouldn't miss. From it's joyful and calming dance sequences to the high-energy battle scene against the Mouse King, Albin said the audience may feel like they're in the ballet themselves at times.
Albin plays a Bon Bon, one of Mother Ginger's children in the ballet. She's looking forward to performing her aerial onstage.
But her favorite part of the show is seeing the guests from the Cincinnati Ballet dance.
“I think it’s very cool, and usually the male dancer, he does a bunch of jumps, and I just think it’s amazing," Albin said.
Her mother, Shannon Belhumeur Albin, said participating in the Volusia Civic Ballet every year is an opportunity for growth for all the young dancers, including her daughter.
“They get to grow throughout 'The Nutcracker' and they may see what they might do in following years, and the older kids get to see parts that they used to do, so it’s enjoyable for everyone," she said. "It’s something to look forward to every year.”
During the performances, the Peabody lobby will also be transformed into a quaint German village, according to a press release. The Volusia Civic Ballet is also hosting a Children's Sugar Plum Tea prior to the show where children ages 3-12 can enjoy sweet treats in a fairytale atmosphere. Tickets for the show range from $20 to $45, and Children's Sugar Plum Tea tickets are $20 per child. A condensed narrated Family Series show is also offered on Saturday, Dec. 4, for audiences with special needs, all levels of mobility and young children. It will be just under an hour and include vignettes from Act I and a complete Act II.
Performances include:
Children’s Sugar Plum Tea:
