ORPHEUM DANCE PROGRAMS THE NUTCRACKER

DECEMBER 7-8 AND 14-15

Hunter, NY – December, 2024 – Catskill Mountain Foundation presents the ninth annual production of The Nutcracker on December 7-8 and 14-15 at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville, NY. Led by former Metropolitan Opera ballerina Victoria Rinaldi, the Orpheum Dance Program continues to delight audiences with its lively and professionally choreographed production. 

This year, dancers from Joffrey Ballet School New York will perform traditional choreographed principal roles and dream sequences under the direction of Era Jouravlev on the first weekend. Dancers from Ballet Hispanico School of Dance will perform those scenes with choreography by Rodney Hamilton on the second weekend. This production provides a stepping stone in the careers of the pre-professional dancers, who will perform the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy, Cavalier, Snow Queen and Snow King, among others.

Alexander Scoloveno from the internationally acclaimed Aquila Theatre will perform the role of Herr Drosselmeyer on both weekends.

The world’s favorite ballet, The Nutcracker, has become a holiday favorite in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley. Featuring ballet stars of the future, this production has become one of the finest professional Nutcrackers in Upstate New York. Local children from Hunter, Tannersville and neighboring communities play the roles of party children, mice, soldiers, angels, Clara, and other roles. Adults play the party parents and Mother Ginger. The diverse cast of approximately 70 children consists of dancers taking regular classes in the Orpheum Dance Program Community Class as well as dancers who auditioned for the first time this past September. Children and adults have rehearsed new choreography every weekend throughout October and November, preparing themselves for the performances in December.

The Nutcracker is the story of a young girl who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince and his fierce battle against a Mouse King - good triumphs over evil through the goodness of the heart of a young child. According to folklore, nutcrackers represent power and strength and bring good luck to your family and protect your home. The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffman’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”.

The six performances of The Nutcracker will be at 2:00PM and 7:00PM on Saturdays and at 2:00PM on Saturdays and Sundays, December 7-8 and 14-15 at the Orpheum Performing Arts Center, 6050 Main Street, Tannersville, NY. Arrive early to find available parking in the municipal or other parking lots. There is limited handicapped parking due to construction of the new Orpheum Studios next door to the theater. Purchase tickets online at catskillmtn.org, email boxoffice@catskillmtn.org or call 518 263 2063. Visit www.catskillmtn.org.