Island Moving Company’s Nutcracker

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Editor Andrea E. McHugh

In its ninth magical year, the Island Moving Co. (IMC) performs Tchiakovsky's classic Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker, in one of Newport’s most enchanting milieus, Rosecliff. The “Newport Nutcracker” features company dancers, guest artists and children from studios throughout Rhode Island in elegant regalia dancing.

In the traditional tale, a German girl named Clara dreams her nutcracker doll turns into a prince who must battle an army of mice led by the Mouse King, and after the prince’s victory, the two visit the Land of Snow, where they meet dancing snowflakes, and the Land of Sweets, home to the Sugar Plum Fairy. In the Newport version, the young girl is named Tess, in honor of Rosecliff’s original owner, silver heiress Tessie Oelrichs, and the adventure unfolds in three whimsical acts.

Plie, Chassé & Jeté Away

New this year: roles for members of IMC's new boys class, who will aid the Nutcracker’s fearsome rival as Mini Mouse Kings. Other children in the cast, playing mice, soldiers and party children, come from dance studios from Narragansett to Providence. “Celebrity” Snow Kings and Queens, who will grace Snow Scene to greet Tess and the Nutcracker, will be played at various performances by Rhode Island personalities, including Newport Hospital CEO August Cordeiro, FirstWorks Artistic Director Kathleen Pletcher, Arts & Business Council Executive Director Rebecca Siemering and BankNewport President Tom Kelly, among others.

The ballet runs for 14 performances, from November 26th to December 3rd at Rosecliff, at 548 Bellevue Avenue in Newport. Tickets, which are $40 to $85, are still available at www.arttixri.com for some shows.For more information about the Newport Nutcracker at Rosecliff visit www.islandmovingco.org or call 847-4470.