Temecula Ballet Studio readies for “The Nutcracker”

The Ballet Studio's cast of the "The Nutcracker." (Photo by Inda Reid)

Magic, merriment and lots of sparkle-it just isn’t Christmas without “The Nutcracker.”

The Ballet Studio in Temecula is preparing to debut its annual production at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

Audiences may feel especially enthralled by this year’s production considering the intimate portrayal of the hard work and heartbreak of dance in the film “The Making of the Nutcracker.” Directed by filmmaker Inda Reid, the film won Audience Choice Best Documentary at Temecula Valley International Film Festival in September.

“It was a really good film,” said Ballet Studio Director Mark Erickson. “It was hard to sit through and watch myself, but it was a personal, honest depiction (of what it takes to prepare for this show) and truly captured the spirit of our story.”

“The Nutcracker” was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and first premiered in 1892. The famed ballet, traditionally performed during the Christmas season, is a fairy tale that brings a young girl’s deliciously vivid dreams to life one festive Christmas Eve.

Featuring a cast of more than 100 performers-some as young as three years-old-Erikson said that most of his dancers are Temecula residents. Ballerina Tiffany Koepke will return to the stage as Marie and Joey Patrick will perform as the Prince.

Erickson said that working with the vast range in age is one of the most taxing aspects of the show, but frequent rehearsals and a firm commitment to superior performance is key to meeting those challenges.

“We strive to have a professional look on stage,” Erickson said. “When I started the studio, I determined that we would give our audience more than just a recital. And I think we’ve accomplished that.”

The show runs Dec. 19-23, with varying day and nighttime performances. Tickets cost $29 for Orchestra, $27 for Parterre and $21 for Balcony. Tickets are available for purchase online at TemeculaTheater.org.

Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at ksmabee.swrnn@gmail.com with comments or questions.

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Inda Reid, Joey Patrick, Kerri S. Mabee, Lake Elsinore, Mark Erickson, Murrieta, Old Town Temecula, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, SWRNN, Temecula, Temecula Valley International Film Festival, The Ballet Studio, The Making of the Nutcracker, The Nutcracker, Tiffany Koepke, wildomar

This entry was posted on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pm and is filed under Arts & Entertainment, Dance, Lifestyle, Local News, Music, Theater . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.