Posted on: Sunday, December 26, 2004
MOMENTS OF LIFE
Scene season
Photos by Andrew Shimabuku
Advertiser Staff Photographer
Story by Tanya Bricking leach
Advertiser Staff Writer
In the Barbour household, the story of Christmas coming to life in a little girl's dreams isn't just the "Nutcracker" holiday classic, it's becoming an extreme sport.
That made for 40 to 50 hours of rehearsal, trying to keep little girls quiet behind the scenes, and devoting the performance weekend to being all-"Nutcracker," all the time. (Dave and Deborah Barbour are also parents of a 2-year-old, Gabriella, who hasn't made it on stage yet.)
Five-year-old Angelica had a small part in the opening scene, but watching her was captivating for the family. On stage, Angelica was always amused — and amusing. Her part included receiving a candy cane.
"She's a real happy camper. Real social," said the girls' dad. "For her to go on stage, that's a big deal for her."
"It was real fun," Angelica said. Her only complaint was that her hoop skirt kept getting caught on things. But she says she'd love to be in the show again next year.
"We used to be soccer people," said the Kane'ohe father. "And we quit doing that because we'd be running to 20 different fields."
Barbour used to just drop his daughters off at dance class and pick them up. Now he's president of Honolulu Dance Theatre, and he's become a backstage dad.
The family's most avid dancer is 15-year-old Jacqueline, who has been dancing for about eight years. Younger sisters Catherine, 12, and Elena, 10, performed in some of the party scenes this year.
For the Barbours, "The Hawaiian Nutcracker" had become part of their family tradition. It wouldn't be Christmas without it.
• • • • • • As we pass through this world, we share essential common experiences — births, family life, schooling, adulthood, aging, death and all the joy and memories each day brings. This is the fifth installment of our monthly Moments of Life feature that shines a light on personal transitions and connections. Because these experiences are both universal and one of a kind, readers can enjoy the feature for its familiar aspects, as well as the information it provides about others' way of life. We welcome your reactions or suggestions for topics. Reach Island Life editor Elizabeth Kieszkowski at ekieszkowski@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8034.
Four of the five Barbour daughters performed in Honolulu Dance Theatre's "The Hawaiian Nutcracker" ballet this year at Windward Community College's Paliku Theatre.
Backstage, Angelica Barbour dashes to the dressing room to pretty up for her debut in the show. Angelica is the youngest of four Barbour girls who appeared in the holiday production.
For Angelica, the best part was getting all dolled up in a long white party dress.
Angelica Barbour prepared for nap time between the dress rehearsal and the opening performance of "The Hawaiian Nutcracker" at Paliku Theatre. She and three sisters appeared in the show.
For Angelica Barbour, the best part of participating in "The Hawaiian Nutcracker" was dressing up in the party-dress costume for the opening scene.
Angelica Barbour has her makeup touched up backstage before getting dressed in her opening-scene costume.
Angelica Barbour, right, and 7-year-old Cheyne Martinez can hardly contain their excitement in the dressing room moments before the curtain rises at Paliku Theatre.
Angelica Barbour, 5, receives a candy cane in the opening scene of Honolulu Dance Theatre's "The Hawaii Nutcracker." The production was recently staged at the Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College.
