In its 33rd year, Ballet Legere’s production of “The Nutcracker” will feature guest dancers from the Cincinnati Ballet.
The seasonal ballet, running Dec. 7-11 at Dominican University’s Performing Arts Center, 7900 W. Division St. in River Forest, is “a Christmas tradition,” said Donna Vittorio, the company’s artistic director and one of the show’s choreographers.
More Top Picks Best Weighted Shoulder Wraps For Anxiety
Vittorio started the ballet company 35 years ago. The Ballet Legere dance studio on North Avenue opened 20 years ago.
This year’s “Nutcracker” production, which features an open audition, includes 49 Ballet Legere dancers among the approximately 120 total performers, she said.
Vittorio chalks up the persistent popularity of “The Nutcracker” to its magical story and the enchanting music and dancing on display during the show.
Tchaikovsky’s compositions are “the kind of music you never get sick of,” she said, adding that children don’t have to love ballet to enjoy the show. “We make the storyline very visual.”
Four school field trip performances are scheduled; Vittorio said three were sold out as of Nov. 17.
The weekend performances of the production will include guest artists from the Cincinnati Ballet in the parts of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, along with some new choreography here and there, Vittorio said.
“We’re very excited about it,” she said.
It’s the first time Ballet Legere has worked with dancers from the Cincinnati Ballet. Typically, the production has featured dancers from various ballet companies in two of the main roles; the past two years, guest dancers were members of the Boston Ballet.
“It is such an encouragement to see such professionalism, and to be working alongside them,” Vittorio said.
Elmwood Park resident Alyssa Pankey, 17, in her 11th and final year performing in the production, is grateful for the experience she’s gained from years of auditions, rehearsals and performances. She called working alongside the guest dancers “amazing.”
“It just inspires us to push ourselves to be just like them,” she said.
Pankey has seven parts in this year’s production, “so it’s chaos,” she said with a laugh, but noted that many years of experience repeating choreography helps her manage various parts.
She and Savannah Slaten, 17 — dancing in the show for her 10th year — are splitting the Arabian solo. Slaten agreed that the guest dancers’ technique is awe-inspiring.
Ballet Legere’s production is notable in that there are so many children involved, Slaten said. She loves making an impression on young audiences and hearing them say they, too, want to become ballet dancers.
“It’s such an important part of Christmas to me,” Slaten said of the show.
Ballet Legere’s “The Nutcracker” runs Dec. 7-11 at Dominican University’s Performing Arts Center, 7900 W. Division St. in River Forest. Tickets are $22-$32 for weekend performances; call for group rates. For more information, visit www.balletlegere.org or call 773-237-1874.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.