Dance Connection to present 'Nutcracker Magic'

Though a Mouse King, an enchanted forest, and a Nutcracker doll coming to life might seem enough to draw in a child, two hours of anything, even the classic Nutcracker Ballet, will easily irritate and bore children. With this in mind, Margaret Edmonds, director of Dance Connection, cut down the show into two thirty-minute acts, and created “Nutcracker Magic.”

The performance, featuring dancers from first grade through college, will be at the Deaderick Hall Auditorium in Odessa College at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m Sunday.

“It is a wonderful chance for the children in the area to experience a live ballet without having to sit still for such a long time,” Edmonds said. “I took out the parts I thought were boring. We want the little ones!”

To prove this point even further, Edmonds is offering free admission to children young enough to sit in their parent’s lap. Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, and $7 for students and children over four.

As someone that has been a part of the show multiple times growing up, Emily Mathis, who will be performing this year as a snow angel, the Blue Doll Soldier, and a French girl, believes the show is an opportunity to let children see and appreciate dance.

“I just think that it’s a beautiful thing to watch and it’ll encourage more people to get into it (dance),” Mathis said.

This will be the ninth season for the show, which is performed every two years. This not only meant that Edmonds was able to put the show together quicker and easier, but it also meant there were many dancers who have been in the show several times, and have become better dancers with the show.

“This is going to be one of our good dancing years,” Edmonds said. “I have two groups of teenagers who have grown up dancing this show and they are very talented.”

Mathis is one of those dancers who has performed in The Nutcracker for several years.

“Since I’ve been doing it, the show has changed tremendously for me. Every year it gets more enjoyable,” Mathis said. “I learn more things, I get better and I’ve just grown more as a dancer.”

Though there were many scenes cut from the first act, Edmonds kept most of the second act intact, and maintained all the classic dances.

“We cut to the chase and perform everyone’s favorites like the Russian, Chinese, Spanish and all the other Sweets,” Edmonds said. “We want everyone to leave with the joy of the Holiday Season.

@OAintern

ON THE NET

http://danceconnectionodessa.com/prosite/nutcracker_magic

THE BASICS

WHAT:

• “Nutcracker Magic.”

WHEN:

• 7 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE:

• Deaderick Hall Auditorium on the Odessa College Campus.

COST:

• Pre-show tickets are available at Dance Connection, $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens (65+), Students/Children $5, and children 4 & under are free if sitting on their parent's lap. At the door, tickets will be $12 for adults, $9 for senior citizens, $7 for students/children and children 4 & under will still be free if sitting on their parent's lap.