2017 November PASO Magazine

A HOLIDAY FAMILY TRADITION
By Heather Young
The familiar melody of
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker will
fill the Performing Arts Center
at Templeton High School as
local dancers adorned in sparkling
costumes glide across the
stage in the Christmas ballet
at the Performing Arts Center
at Templeton High School in
December.
“It’s a really good way to get
into the holiday spirit,” said
Gabriella Trevisan, this year’s
Sugar Plum Fairy.
Every year, the holiday season
is kicked off with the annual performance
of “The Nutcracker”
ballet. The Christmas story of
Clara, her uncle Drosselmeyer,
the Prince, Sugar Plum Fairy
and the fantasy world is a Christmas
tradition that North County
Dance and Performing Arts
Foundation brings to the area.
While The Nutcracker ballet
will be the same production that
audiences have grown to love,
each year is a bit different based
on the dancer in each role.
“It’s always different in regards
to the cast and the dancers that
get cast in the part,” The Nutcracker
Artistic Director
Cheryle Armstrong said.
“We try to choreograph to
the talents of the dancers.”
Lisa Deyo, who has
been a resident choreographer
for many years, will
choreograph this year’s
ballet. Joining the cast this
year, Armstrong said, are
several local celebrities,
including some physicians
and public servants, including
Dr. Mark Kowall.
“I am very excited
to take on the role of
Mr. Stahlbaum,” said
Kowall. “Last year, as
one of Clara’s uncles,
I had a fantastic experience.
I was incredibly
impressed with the dedicated
and hardworking
cast. This year, I
am once again looking
forward to being on
the stage with the real
dancer in the family,
Katie, and with my
wife, Margie, who debuts
as an aunt.”
This holiday season’s
ballet will take place
the second weekend
of December. Student
night and open
dress rehearsal will
be held on Thursday,
Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The following
performances
will happen on Friday,
Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday,
Dec. 9 at 11:30 a.m.
and 4 p.m. and Sunday,
Dec. 10 at 1 and 5:30 p.m.
At this time, the role of
the Cavalier has not been
cast. Armstrong said she
is currently looking for a
dancer for that role.
“I try my best to bring in
someone who is professional
and willing to work with
a student, because it’s a
learning experience,” she
said. “I have a few candidates,
but have not hired
anyone yet.”
Get a preview of the
ballet and the dancers
during Paso Robles Main
Street Association’s annual
Elegant Evening
Downtown on Saturday,
Nov. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.
During Elegant
Evening, dancers
for The Nutcracker
will be live mannequins,
creating different scenes in different
business windows. Tickets for
Student Night are $10 for youth
and $25 for adults. For the other
performances, tickets are $24
for children and seniors and $28
for adults. Tickets are on sale at
www.2017nutcracker.brown
papertickets.com.
FOR MORE INFO GO TO
WWW.NCDPAF.ORG
Nutcracker Tea Party
A Nutcracker Tea Party will
be held on Sunday, Dec. 3 at
noon and 3:30 p.m. at Class
Act Dance: Studio D in Paso
Robles. The tea will include the
Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara and
Mrs. Stahlbaum with special
appearance by the Land of the
Sweets dancers. There will be
photo opportunities with cast
members, autographs, Nutcracker
gift souvenirs, raffles
items and more.
50 PASO Magazine, November 2017