IN Fox Chapel Area Winter 2018 | Page 35

designs by Emmy-winning designer
Zack Brown. Each performance features
five scene changes and 170 roles for
both professional company members
and student dancers from PBT School.
“‘The Nutcracker’ is pure Pittsburgh
tradition. But with new surprises
and choreographic tweaks, it’s also
ever-changing,” says Orr. “For me,
it’s important to create unique
casting combinations for all 26
performances to keep the excitement
alive and ensure that no two
performances are exactly alike.”
The festivities start as soon as
audience members walk through
the Benedum Center doors, with
opportunities to take a souvenir photo
with the Sugar Plum Fairy ($10/
photo benefiting PBT School), shop
for holiday gifts at the PBT boutique,
and listen to lobby entertainment by
local musical ensembles before select
performances.
“The Nutcracker” is one of the best-
known ballets of all time, based on
German author E.T.A. Hoffman’s classic
1816 tale “The Nutcracker and the
Mouse King.” The first ballet adaptation
premiered in 1892 at the Imperial
Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.
PBT has performed versions of “The
Nutcracker” since the 1970s and has
presented Orr’s adaptation since 2002,
introducing a coming-of-age story,
more complex choreography and a
Pittsburgh setting.
Pittsburghers can spot references
to the city’s landmarks and cultural
heritage, including the Snow Scene’s
Mount Washington view, a Kaufmann’s-
inspired proscenium clock and a
Land of Enchantment inspired by
Pittsburgh’s historic amusement parks.
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s version
opens with a Christmas Eve party in
early 20th century Shadyside, where
a gift from her mysterious Uncle
Drosselmeyer sparks a wondrous
adventure for young Marie Stahlbaum.
The story unfolds through classical
dancing, ranging from the ethereal
Snow Scene to the virtuosic national
dances of the Land of Enchantment.
The choreography culminates with a
grand pas de deux performed by the
Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier,
before the story returns to the
Stahlbaum home, leaving Marie to
wonder, “Was it all a dream?”
Among the 170 costumes featured in
each performance, highlights include
18 shimmering snowflakes, 16 colorful
tutus resembling flower petals, a stage
full of elaborate Victorian party dresses
and many more handcrafted costumes.
Among the total 215-costume
inventory, 110 were built locally in the
PBT costume shop under the direction
of Costumier Janet Groom Campbell.
The scenery completes the picture
with 3D set pieces, like the Land of
Enchantment Carousel, and hand-
painted drops. Special effects add
to the enchantment with a growing
Christmas tree, flurries of falling
snow and magic tricks conceived by a
professional magician.
The company will also present a
sensory-friendly performance adapted
for patrons with special needs at 2 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 27.
Jocelyn Bosick
2019 President
Maria Sullivan
President-Elect
Fox Chapel Office
412-782-3700
www.ThePreferredRealty.com
©2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchise of BHH Affiliates, LLC.
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ONE-OF-A-KIND CAR
DONATION PROGRAM
Community Auto, a nonprofit
program of The Lighthouse
Foundation, is a nonprofit, accepts
donated cars, repairs and inspects
them when feasible, and sells them
at discounted prices to low-income
working families and individuals.
The used car in your garage that you
don’t have time to sell, or didn’t get the
trade-in value you wanted, or a car the
kids used but no longer need would be
the perfect car to donate. Your generous
donation is tax-deductible.
Please contact Community Auto
at communityautolico.org or call
724.538.5081 for details on how to
donate your car. n
From your family at
Fox Chapel Office
412-782-3700
www.ThePreferredRealty.com
Thank you for your business!
©2018 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchise of BHH Affiliates, LLC.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered
service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified
or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not a solicitation.
FOX CHAPEL AREA
❘
WINTER 2018
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