Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker comes to The Star Plaza   NEWS RELEASE (Date: September 25, 1998)

Virginia Holte (of West Hawaii Dance Theatre) returns home to perform the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and the Snow Queen in Indiana Ballet Theatre NW production of "The Nutcracker." Virginia, originally from Hobart, Indiana, has an unbelievable background in ballet. As a professional dancer, she performed extensively with major dance companies, including The Washington Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Chicago Ballet, and Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, touring both nationally and internationally. She is often invited to perform as a guest artist, most recently with the New Jersey Ballet, the Gala International de Ballet in Sautillo, Mexico, and the Infinity Ballet Company. We are very fortunate to have Virginia perform with Indiana Ballet Theatre NW. Joining Virginia as Snow King and Sugar Plum Cavalier will be Vadim Pijicov, currently with Ballet Internationale of Indianapolis. Vadim, formerly of the Kirov Ballet in Russia, replaces Shawn Mahoney as his contract with Twyla Tharp, currently touring internationally, was extended.

Herr Drosselmeyer will be danced by Andrew Amos Colby of Mordine and Company, Chicago. This will be Andrew's second time performing with Indiana Ballet Theatre NW. He danced the role of Golden Bird and Prince Igor in "The Firebird" in 1997.

Las Adelitas De Mexico will be dancing the Spanish (chocolate). One of Crown Point's German exchange students, Sebastian Schicker, will perform the part of the Nutcracker Prince, with Bailee Serocinski of DeMotte as Clara. Bailee is a Junior Indiana Ballet Theatre member.

This ballet has 145 in its cast with 40 Indiana Ballet Theatre members and over 100 dancers and actors from Tinley Park, Illinois, to Westville, Indiana. This wonderful star-studded performance comes to you at The Star Plaza on December 3rd at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Indiana Ballet Theatre, NW is a local ballet company where adults and youths alike work together with professionals at this wonderful theatre. "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "Firebird," "Peter Pan," and now the fantasy, glitter and glamour of "The Nutcracker" have all been staged at the Star Plaza Theatre. At Merrillville High School and The Centre L.B.T., NW has staged Gaite Parisienne and our wonderful "Winter Wonderland," where we bring together guest performing groups along with the modern dance choreography. Indiana Ballet Theatre NW is supported by the Crown Point Community Foundation.

The story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince has been told by many different people in many different ways. In St. Petersburg, Russia, on December 18, 1892, it was first presented by Lea Ivanov with music written by Peter Tchaikovsky. This ballet has been performed countless times in the last one hundred year and has become a holiday tradition for people the world over.

Imagine the magical feel of the holiday season - lights on glistening snow, joyful carols, stars in the winter sky and warm spicy smells. Anything can happen. Now, let the fanfare of flutes and the ringing triangle carry you with them into the world of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.

This ballet is choreographed exclusively for the Indiana Ballet Theatre, NW similar to the original Russian story line. The Nutcracker is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages as the curtain rises on this spectacular production.

Ballet is a timeless art, taking many dedicated years to perfect. We need to support and encourage this type of commitment in our youth of today. The opportunities this local company has given young children through adult and all of the local dance studios has been as endless as the fairy tales they portray. The hard work and focus required for our productions teaches responsibility and confidence, team work and good manners. For the past two years the Crown Point Community Foundation has supported our efforts to give pleasure and culture back to the community. After ten years as a company, seven as a non-profit organization, we have managed to keep this wonderful non-profit project alive. We cannot survive without your support.

This production is our fifth at the Star Plaza and will be a star studded professional production, an experience for all who perform in it and especially for the audience.