'Nutcracker' performed during Thanksgiving weekend

Staff Reports

Pinkerton Ballet Theatre presents their 21st annual production of "The Nutcracker" ballet on Thanksgiving weekend at the Carson City Community Center. Performances are 7 p.m. Nov. 27 and 28, and 2 p.m. Nov. 29. Tickets are $23.50 general admission and $19.50 for seniors and children, available at the Brewery Arts Center Artisan's Gift Shop, (775) 883-1976, ext. 2, or www.ayakosdance.com Information, (775) 220-4633.

The cast of "The Nutcracker" includes members from the local area and featured guest artists who will travel from across the nation to join the festivities in this holiday extravaganza.

Dancing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy is Carson Valley's own Erica Chipp, who studied with Pinkerton Dance Academy and Western Nevada Performing Arts in Carson City, then finished her formal dance training at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Fla. Chipp has been a company member of Festival Ballet Providence for five years, has performed as a guest artist for Sierra Nevada Ballet and Petrov Ballet, and is realizing her lifelong dream by coming back to Pinkerton Ballet Theatre to perform the role of Sugar Plum.

Raemon Kilfoil will portray the Cavalier. After graduating from the School of American Ballet, Kilfoil performed with North Carolina Dance Theatre for three years, followed by St. Louis Ballet, and later earned a degree in ballet performance at Indiana University. He joined Festival Ballet Providence in 2007, where he has been seen in a number of roles.

Featured in the lead roles in the Arabian pas de deux are Natalie Berger and Arthur Reloj. Berger is from Carson City, where she trained with Pinkerton Dance. She earned dance degrees from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Utah, and performed with Ririe Woodbury Dance Company of Utah, the Siegfried and Roy show and the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

Reloj comes from Sierra Nevada Ballet, and performed with the University of Nevada, Reno, dance program, Wing and a Prayer Modern Dance Co., and Nevada Festival Ballet.

The role of Clara will be shared by Morgan Gillott and Lael Wakamatsu, both of Carson City. Ryan Frier of North Carolina returns for his third year with Pinkerton Ballet Theatre as the Nutcracker Prince. Frier also performs the role of Snow King with Becca Kitchen, a Carson City native who now resides in Reno, as Snow Queen.

Bethany Giurlani and Katie Higgins, both of Carson City, will share the role of the evil Mouse King, who clashes swords with the Lead Soldier, played by David Brown of Stagecoach, and Lane Wilke of Reno.

According to "Olde Tyme" tradition of the Nutcracker Ballet, the role of Mother Gigogne, who wears a huge skirt and has lots of children, was portrayed by a local gentleman of stature. In keeping with this tradition, the role will be performed by Sheriff Ken Furlong on Friday, District Attorney Neil Rombardo on Saturday, and Mayor Bob Crowell on Sunday.

Tickets are $23.50 for general admission and $19.50 for seniors and students, including arts support fee. Group discounts offered. Tickets available at the Brewery Arts Center Artisan's Gift Shop, 449 W. King St., Carson City, (775) 883-1976, ext. 2, or at www.ayakosdance.com. Tickets available at the door 90 minutes before each performance. Information, (775) 220-4633.