Blue Heron Dance Nutcracker

Blue Heron Dance transports one and all into the magical world of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet on the VHS stage just in time for the holiday season. Performed by countless dancers for more than a century, the story, in dance, revolves around Clara, a young girl whose imagination takes flight during her Christmas Eve dreamscape.

Showcasing Island dance talents, 60 students ages 8 to 18, Nutcracker represents a dancer’s rite of passage. The beloved annual production is reinvented every year, with the additions of new choreography, costumes pieces, set designs and new dancers rising through the ranks. But Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score and the tale remain timeless.

Artistic Director Christine Juarez says, "I’m refreshing this year’s production with new choreography, integrating more formal movement in short vignettes of children preparing for the Party Scene.

Cornish College of the Arts danseur Sam Opsell, will again join the Company as the Cavalier in a paus de duex with Sugar Plum Fairy Camille Kappelman. Also the Snow Queen, Kappelman will partner with Opsell as Snow King and Ballet 4, 5-6 in the all newly choreographed winter wonderland of the Snow scene.

Veronica Jannetty will dance the bewitching Arabian Princess role. Meg Sayre, as Waltz Queen, will lead the famous Dance of the Flowers and Mara Drape brings drama to the Mouse Queen who sword fights the Nutcracker.

A popular addition in recent years, the interactive, narrated, abbreviated version of Nutcracker will be offered again for Island pre-school audiences. The lobby, transformed into the land of sweets, will also offer Nutcrackers and other delightful gift items, to benefit the VAA dance program. Saturday night’s performance, as always will feature local talent in a pre-show musical performance.

Blue Heron Dance in
Nutcracker

Friday, Dec 9, 3:30 pm
Pre-School Show $5 per person
Friday, Dec 9, 7 pm
Saturday, Dec 10, 1 pm & 7 pm
(Live music Pre-show 6:30 pm)
Sunday, Dec 11, 1 pm
Tickets: $10/$13
Blue Heron, Heron’s Nest, books by the Way, Vashon Bookshop, Thriftway, Brownpapertickets.com or by phone: 463.5131