Four originals return for New Jersey Ballet’s 35th Anniversary of Nutcracker
at Paper Mill.
It will feel like an old fashioned homecoming when New Jersey Ballet’s
Nutcracker opens at Paper Mill Playhouse on December 16. The company
will honor Sharon Harrington, longtime arts advocate, who served
as chairman of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and currently
holds the post of Director of Motor Vehicles.
New Jersey Ballet is celebrating the production’s 35th anniversary
at Paper Mill, and several of the original participants will be on
hand to help mark the occasion.
Edward Villella was the Cavalier in the 1971 production. Villella,
former international star, worked for many years with legendary choreographer
George Balanchine and New York City Ballet. At the height of his
career, Villella guested with the Bolshoi Ballet in the (then) Soviet
Union; he danced at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural, and was the
first American male dancer to guest with the Royal Danish Ballet.
Since retiring from the stage, he has become one of America’s
leading spokespersons for the arts. He has served as Artistic Advisor
to New Jersey Ballet for more than 30 years. Mr. Villella is founder
and director of Miami City Ballet, now in its 20th year.
The original conductor was Alfredo Silipigni. Maestro Silipigni
has been the principal conductor and artistic director of New Jersey
State Opera for nearly 40 years, where he is known as an expert interpreter
of Verdi. In 2002, he traveled to China to conduct the largest performances
of Aida ever staged, with a double orchestra, an international cast
and 1500 supers. He frequently guests in Mexico and Canada.
Carolyn Brown, the original Clara. As a 12 year-old, she was already
on her way to a spectacular career in dance. Miss Brown was a soloist
with American Ballet Theatre for 7 years, then moved on to various
Broadway shows, eventually landing the role of Meg Gieri (the best
friend) in Phantom of the Opera, which she played for 8 years.
Miss Brown is on the faculty of New Jersey School of Ballet and
coaches dancers for New Jersey Ballet Company and the Junior Company.
New Jersey Ballet’s Resident Choreographer, George
Tomal,
created the original choreography for the snow scene and the entire
second act. For many years, Mr. Tomal performed the role of Herr
Drosselmeyer, who sets the story in motion when he gives Clara the
Nutcracker Doll. He is responsible for much of New Jersey Ballet’s
extensive collection of ballets for Kids and Families, and until
recently, he taught all levels of ballet at New Jersey School of
Ballet.
New Jersey Ballet strives to keep the production fresh and exciting
with new additions every year. The 2005 Nutcracker will feature all
new first act scenery by award-winning designer Michael Anania. The
production that has become an annual holiday “must see” for
thousands of New Jersey families and will continue as it has always
been ... traditional and timeless. After all, that’s what’s
kept the audiences coming back for 35 years.
New Jersey Ballet’s extensive performance schedule is made
possible in part by support from the New Jersey State Council on
the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment
for the Arts, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and by other generous
corporate, foundation, and individual contributors. The company has
been designated a Major Arts Institution by the New Jersey State
Council on the Arts for “artistic excellence, substantial programming,
and broad public service.” For more information and a complete
performance schedule, please visit New Jersey Ballet’s Web
site at www.njballet.org.
New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker at Paper Mill Playhouse. December
16 through 26. Tickets $24 to $54. Tickets at Box Office 973-376-4343
or online www.papermill.org
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