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Six young dancers from South Pasadena will perform in this year’s annual Nutcracker ballet, produced by the Pasadena Dance Theater (PDT). The six South Pasadena dancers are Paloma Lakoff, Mazzy Galbraith, Ava Torres, Isabel Criswell, Sophia Sanchez, and Mira Brophy.
The Nutcracker will be presented over four public performances at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, located at 320 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel, on December 16 (2:00 p.m.), 17 (2:00 p.m.), 22 (7:00 p.m.), and 23 (1:00 p.m.). Tickets begin at $25 and are on sale at www.pdtnutcracker.com. The December 22 performance will be preceded by a gala reception, entitled Clara’s Tastes Around the World, for which tickets are also available as an add-on when purchasing December 22nd performance.
PDT has presented the Nutcracker at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse for over thirty years, with children, pre-professional dancers, and professionals performing all of the roles. The ballet was reimagined last year with additional choreography and an updated story chronicling Clara’s journey through her dreamscape, while preserving deep connections to and many elements of the traditional ballet. In addition to over 50 dancers from local communities, the PDT Nutcracker features guest artists Leah Reiter & Randolph Fernandez, of Oklahoma City Ballet (December 22nd & 23rd), and Elise Holmes & Augusto Silva, of San José Dance Theatre (December 16th & 17th).
This year’s production is directed by Camille Curtin, herself an alumna of PDT who has performed in eleven Nutcracker productions as well as numerous other professional ballets. Curtin tells us, “Pasadena Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker is going to be a hit! This year’s show has all of the story elements that audiences loved last year, but with a restaged rat battle that will have people both laughing and gripping the edge of their seats. The show will feature stunning performers from across the country and will culminate in a finale that will leave the audience with chills (and not because of the snow). I am proud of the efforts our dancers have poured into this production; it has been an honor to work with them. I would have never dreamed nearly 20 years ago when I first performed in The Nutcracker with PDT that I would one day be at the helm. Directing The Nutcracker has been a joyous undertaking. We sincerely hope you will attend (and know you will enjoy) our show!”
In addition to the public performances, PDT performs the Nutcracker in a special presentation to local elementary school groups, youth organizations, and special needs programs on December 14 and 15. PDT also donates hundreds of free and discounted tickets to underserved populations. The tickets for these performances, which are heavily discounted, may be obtained by contacting PDT at pasadenadancepdt@gmail.com or 626-683-3459.
PDT, founded in 1958, is an integral part of the local arts community where students and dance professionals explore, nurture, create and discover the blending of music and movement through both classical ballet and contemporary dance, culminating in innovative concerts and performances. PDT is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support, foster and advance the art of dance through educational programs. PDT opened its conservatory theater, an intimate space offering three well-equipped studios for education, new works and concert performances, in 1999. Over the years, PDT’s students have had the opportunity to be taught by and share the stage with seasoned professionals, and many continue to dance, choreograph and teach professionally around the world.
Visit www.pasadenadancetheatre.org or call (626) 683-3459 for further information.
