ASHTABULA — “The Nutcracker” dances its way across the Ashtabula Arts Center stage, beginning next week.
“The Nutcracker” will open Dec. 4. Additional performances will be held Dec. 5 (sold out), 6, 11, 12, 13 (sold out), 17, 18, 19, 20. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m.
“Nutcracker” opens as families can share together in the Stahlbaum’s Christmas Eve party and the exhilarating midnight battle between the Nutcracker and the evil mouse king before joining Clara on a whilrwind adventure through the enchanted snow forest to the palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Arts center officials say it is filled with dazzling special effects, the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky and spirited dancing.
Walk-in, day of show tickets are $14 patron, $12 adult, $11 senior and $10 student/child. Or save $2 per ticket by purchasing tickets in advance at the arts center box office or by calling the arts center at 964-3396.
Get half off a ticket to the. performance on Dec. 17 and help support the Safe Food Pantry at Faith Lutheran Church, the oldest food pantry in Ashtabula County. Get half off the advance sale ticket price for each food item donated. Items that are especially needed include tuna, peanut butter and canned goods. No expired items.
You can also take a special backstage tour. Find out how walls move and the enchanted tree grows. Ballet Theatre Ashtabula’s creative staff will lead you on a tour of the stage and backstage areas.
See where dancers prepare for a performance and talk to some of the lead dancers in the show. Have questions ready. Bring a camera. Cast members will be available for pictures. All tours will begin immediately following the 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 12 and 19. Cost is $2 per person. Reservations are required.
Anne Frank
auditions set
G. B. Community Theatre at the Ashtabula Arts Center will be holding auditions for
“The Diary of Anne Frank” Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. Readings will be from the script. Bring your list of conflicts.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, Critics Circle Award, and virtually every other coveted prize of the theater, “The Diary of Anne Frank” by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, and newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman will bring to life the true World War II story of the Jewish girl whose family hides in an attic in hopes of escaping the Nazis. Directed by Stephen Rhodes of Conneaut, it will be performed Feb. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 2010
Auditions for “You Can’t Take It With You” will be Jan. 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. and Jan. 4 and 5 from 6 to 8. Readings will be from the script. Bring your list of conflicts.
The cheerfully eccentric Vanderhof clan is a zany bunch who pursue whatever activity seizes their passion in Moss Hart’s and George S. Kaufman’s “You Can’t Take it With You.” When their daughter Alice announces her boyfriend’s rich, conservative parents are coming to dinner; the family agrees to act “normal.” But when the prospective in-laws show up on the wrong night…the fireworks fly. Directed by Clay Nielsen of Madison, the show will be performed on March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28.
