Community Corner
A Philadelphia Nutcracker
‘A
PHILADELPHIA NUTCRACKER’ RETURNS,
SET IN HISTORIC GERMANTOWN
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Northwest Philadelphia’s favorite
and only local version of the Nutcracker ballet will be staged by the
Philadelphia Dance Theatre on Nov. 29th and 30th in the Kurtz
Performing Arts Center at the William Penn Charter School, 3000 W. School House
Lane in Germantown.
“A Philadelphia Nutcracker” is a
distinctive production set in the late 19th century and featuring
authentic period streetscapes, storefronts and homes from Germantown, Mt. Airy
and Chestnut Hill. The scenery and stage settings, by Mt. Airy artist and
educator Christopher Fox, replicate area locales such as the Thomas Mansion on Wissahickon
Avenue, a Gothic style home built in 1869, which serves as the setting for the
traditional party scene in Act I. The Land of the Snow features “Tommy’s Hill,”
a favorite sledding spot in Fairmount Park, while Act II sets highlight several
Germantown Avenue merchants where Clara and her Prince sample sweets from local
bakers and candy makers and explore the shops along the Avenue where toy makers
and purveyors prevail.
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PDT artistic director Joy Delaney
Capponi, of Mt. Airy, draws inspiration from the rich history of these
Northwestern Philadelphia neighborhoods as they are shared and celebrated in
this version of the seasonal favorite ballet. The new production was made
possible by a grant from the Marjorie Silvus Foundation and by a grant from the
Chestnut Hill Rotary Club. This year, new costumes in Act II will be added
thanks to their generosity.
Guest Artists for this production
include: Yosbel Delgado formerly of Pennsylvania Ballet and National Ballet de
Cuba who is returning to the role of Cavalier, Gleidon Vasconcelos formerly of
Royal Winnepeg Ballet and Ballet Arizonia who is featured as Snow King, Ruka
White of Philadanco who is returning as Herr Drosselmeyer, and Juliana Buchanan formerly with Ballet
Theater of Maryland again dancing the role of Sugar Plum Fairy.
“A Philadelphia Nutcracker” will
be presented at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29th, and at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday,
Nov. 30th. Ticket information is available at www.philadancetheatre.org.
