New York ballet stars return for 'Nutcracker'
Advertiser Staff
Megan Fairchild will be the Sugar Plum Fairy and Joaquin De Luz her Cavalier in Ballet Hawaii's "Nutcracker," at 8 p.m. Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
Both dancers are from the New York City Ballet; they also topped last year's production.
The cast, just announced, also will feature Michael Vernon as Drosselmeyer; John Selya from the Broadway cast of "Movin' Out" and Daphne Hargrove, formerly of the Carolina Ballet, in the "Arabian" pas de deux; Maria Riccetto from the American Ballet Theatre as the Snow Queen and Dew Drop; Timour Bourtasenkov from the Carolina Ballet as the Snow King and in the Russian Trepak; Vladislav Kalinin from the American Ballet Theatre as the Soldier Doll and in the Spanish variation and Russian Trepak; Marian Butler from the American Ballet Theatre in the Spanish variation; Therese Miyoshi Wendler, formerly with the Ballet Metropolitan of Caracas as the Columbine Doll and Little Bo Peep; John Tolentino as the Mouse King; Maria Jose Beltran-Rowlands and WillieDean Ige as Frau and Dr. Silberhaus; Dorian Cuccia as the Nutcracker; Ben Moffat as Mother Ginger; Phil McNamee and Carol Naish as the Grandfather and Grandmother; and Alex Kahanu and Kimberly Low as the young leads, Marie and Fritz.
"Nutcracker" is staged by Pamela Taylor-Tongg, the Ballet Hawaii artistic director. Students are also in the cast.
The production features music by the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Sets are by Peter Dean Beck and costumes by Anne Namba.
An "Arabian Night" gala precedes the opening night performance, with $150 tickets including food and beverages catered by 3660 On The Rise, Auntie Pasto's, Big City Diner, Chart House Honolulu, Compadres Bar & Grill, JMD Beverages, Roy's Restaurant, Shanghai Bistro, Starbucks and The Bistro at Century Center. Golden Circle seating, reserved parking and a post-show backstage party with the cast are included.
Tickets are $25, $40 and $60, with discounts for students, seniors and military.
Charge by phone at (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com.
