Yellowstone Ballet Company (YBC) celebrates its 29th season with a spectacular community collaboration of The Nutcracker, 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at Willson Auditorium.
Award-winning choreographer and YBC’s Artistic Director Kathleen Rakela creatively intertwines talented dancers and choreographers from Gallatin, Park and Meagher counties including Raison D’être Dance Project, Bozeman Dance Academy, and Martinsdale Ballet.
Colorado Ballet principal dancer Domenico Lorenzio will perform the role of the Nutcracker Prince/Cavalier. A native of Italy, he performed with several prestigious European companies before joining Tulsa Ballet in 2004 as a demi-soloist. He joined the Colorado Ballet in 2010 and quickly rose to the position of principal dancer.
Rancher and ballerina Annie Valle dances the coveted role of the Sugarplum Fairy. She started dancing at age 6 in Santa Cruz and went on to receive scholarships to some of the most prestigious schools in the nation including: Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, and School of American Ballet in New York City. She also danced with Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Valle currently dances and choreographs for Yellowstone Ballet Company, Raison d’Etre Dance Project, and School of Classical Ballet in Billings. She also directs the Martinsdale Ballet, a free dance school and performance group in Meagher County. In addition to dancing, she loves ranching with her husband’s family, their children and an assortment of dogs, horses, cows, and chickens.
Reese Daily of Bozeman Dance Academy performs the role of Clara, the girl who breaks the spell that encased the Prince in the form of a nutcracker. Other featured performers include Raison D’etre Dance Project in the Waltz of the Flowers and Snow Scene, Yellowstone Ballet Company in the Party Scene and Divertissements, and Martinsdale Ballet as the Angels.
Children are encouraged to come dressed as the Snow Queen, the Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy or any other Nutcracker character for a costume contest during intermission. Prizes for best costume will be presented at the show along with a free gift for every child in attendance.
YBC’s family-friendly production of The Nutcracker has delighted thousands with 70 performances in Livingston, Great Falls, Lewistown, Bozeman, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Livingston.
YBC is offering a free child ticket with every adult ticket purchase. Tickets are $20, $30, $40 and $55 and available online at yellowstoneballet.info.
For more information call 406-223-0430 or email [email protected]