- November 26, 2024
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Fritz (played by Levi Tagliamonte, of Palm Coast) battles with Clara (played by Juliane Beatrice Carpio) for the nutcracker doll. Photo by Michael Cairns
Juliane Beatrice Carpio as "Clara" and Donovan Mansfield, as "The Nutcracker." Photo by Michael Cairns
Cincinnati Ballet principals Melissa Gelfin De-Poli and Rafael Quenedit Castro are the guest artists for Volusia Civic Ballet's production of "The Nutcracker." Photo courtesy of the Cincinnati Ballet
The Rat King, played by Kelan Halloran, and the Mouse Queen, played by Taylor Gerhardt. Photo by Michael Cairns
Since 1996, it's been a tradition in the community for the Volusia Civic Ballet to present "The Nutcracker" at Peabody Auditorium.
This year is no exception, and the nonprofit organization will host three shows total on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8. Featuring a cast of over 70 performers and eight choreographers from dance studios across Central Florida, the ballet, set to music by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, tells the story of Clara who receives a magical Nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve.
Seeing the large cast perform together from different studios is great because it's not something they get the chance to do often, said Volusia Civic Ballet Artistic Director Jerome DeVito.
"We only get them every Sunday, starting in September, so realistically we really only have 14 days to put this whole two-hour show together," DeVito said. "So the fact that these kids all come together and these amazing choreographers come together and actually pull this show off is nothing short of magical."
This year's Clara is played by Juliane Beatrice Carpio. DeVito said the girl that is chosen to play the role every year sets the theme for the show.
"Julianne is an extremely beautiful dancer," he said. "More than just her technique, her facial expressions and the way she performs — she's a true performer —is going to bring the show to life."
He's proud to say that all of the show's Claras over the years have been diverse.
"I like to represent all the girls in the audience, so that any girl in the audience can look up on that stage and say, 'One day, I can be Clara,' because that's not seen so much throughout Nutcracker-land," DeVito said.
The ballet also features guest artists from the Cincinnati Ballet, Melissa Gelfin De-Poli and Rafael Quenedit Castro, who perform the parts of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier. They are returning guest artists, said Nelly Droznin, president of Volusia Civic Ballet.
"They're incredibly contemporary, modern and classical — all at the same time," Droznin said. "They're very creative, full of energy. ... We're just thrilled that they're coming back. The audiences love them. The dancers love them and it's great to see them onstage."
Though Volusia Civic Ballet puts on "The Nutcracker" every year, the ballet's choreography is always different and they add twists to keep the story interesting.
"We like to turn the show upside down sometimes, because 'The Nutcracker' has been done so many times, and it's really a show that you can take a license with," DeVito said.
His favorite scene? The party scene. It's basically a 45-minute long dance because it's so intricate, DeVito said.
"No matter where you look on stage, something really cool is happening," he said.
Droznin agreed. But, the "Waltz of the Flowers" number makes her cry. The "Waltz of the Snowflakes" is also a standout number, she added.
"When the snow starts falling, it's a 'wow moment,'" she said. "It's just really beautiful, and it's a very difficult piece as well — very taxing, no matter what the age of the dancers."
"The Nutcracker" is performed often in the holiday season, but DeVito said that for him, the Volusia Civic Ballet's is "the real deal."
"For me, it's the most professional," he said. "The costuming is top notch. The choreography is top notch. Our guest artists are beyond top notch."
Audiences also get an immersive experience, as the lobby at the Peabody will be decorated for the holidays and transformed into a "Kingdom of Sweets" with a Drosselmeyer toy shop selling different ornaments.
"It's a very festive start to the holidays," Droznin said.
This is all made possible with the help of volunteers, who help build the props, man the booths in the lobby and work the Children’s Sugar Plum Tea, offered on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, prior to the show. At the tea, children ages 3-12 enjoy holiday treats while the ballet's characters make appearances for photos.
The volunteers come not only from the families and friends of participating dancers, but from the community at large, Droznin said.
"They so strongly believe in our mission of promoting the arts in the community —keeping the arts alive in the community, fostering the love of dance in the future generation — that they donate their time and they donate financially to keep this organization going, and we truly appreciate all of our sponsors," Droznin said.
The volunteers become family, and it's always nice to see family during the holidays, DeVito said.
"It takes a village, like they say, and this is a large village," DeVito said. "It's so nice too because we separate and we go about our business throughout the whole year, and then we all come back in August, and it seems like we all become a family all of a sudden within three months."
