by PegNews wire

The Dallas engagement of The Nutcracker is Texas Ballet Theater’s debut as the professional resident ballet company for the new AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Eric Younkin, Ellen Appel

Texas Ballet Theater’s Artistic Director Ben Stevenson O.B.E. is proud to present The Nutcracker, a family favorite holiday tradition, November 27 – December 6, 2009 at the AT&T Performing Arts Center Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in Dallas and December 11 – 24, 2009 at the Nancy Lee & Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. Stevenson also proudly presents The Nutty Nutcracker, an adult parody of the classic ballet for a one-night-only exclusive performance on Sunday, December 20 at 7 p.m. at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.

The Dallas engagement of The Nutcracker is Texas Ballet Theater’s debut as the professional resident ballet company for the new AT&T Performing Arts Center. Notably, Texas Ballet Theater is the only performing arts organization in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that performs in both the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas and the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.

In honor of this inaugural season at the Winspear Opera House, Texas Ballet Theater is especially appreciative of Stevenson’s eye for talent in casting. For the role of the “Sugar Plum Fairy,” Texas Ballet Theater has selected Leticia Oliveira, Carolyn Judson, Lisa Kaczmarek, Katelyn Clenaghan, Jennifer Hooper and Lainey Logan will alternate performances.

For the role of the “Nutcracker Prince,” Texas Ballet Theater will showcase male performers Lucas Priolo, Eddy Tovar, Carl Coomer, Lonnie Weeks and Alexander Kotelenets will alternate performances.

The role of the “Snow Queen” will be filled by Carolyn Judson, Lisa Kaczmarek, Leticia Oliveira, Heather Crosby, Victoria Simo and Betsy McBride, who will also alternate performances. Notably, McBride is 16 years old and originally from Coppell. She is a former student at the Texas Ballet Theater School and considered to be one of the rising stars of Texas Ballet Theater. Her performance as the “Snow Queen” will be her first in a ballerina role.

Additionally, Lonnie Weeks, Eddy Tovar and Adam Boreland will alternate performances as “The Nutcracker.” Kaitlyn Potts, Heather Crosby and Havilah Sprunk will alternate performances as “Clara.”

Source: Texas Ballet Theater