Dec 6, 2002 By Frances Borsodi Zajac 7 min read

Donna Marovic-Anthony says she never gets tired of “The Nutcracker” even though she spent many years performing in the ballet and rehearsing for productions. “You would think after so many years of being in it and rehearsing that I’d be tired of it, but I can’t wait to see it on stage,” said Marovic-Anthony, acting artistic director for California University’s production.

“It’s the music, the season, the tradition that people enjoy,” she added. “Boys enjoy it. It’s not just a fairy tale for girls. Adults enjoy the music, and the story line is not hard to follow. It’s something people have made a point of including in their holiday traditions. I get excited every year it’s time for ‘Nutcracker’ and sad when it’s over. It’s a fun, enjoyable time of year. The kids enjoy it, and that makes me enjoy it even more.”

The Mon Valley Ballet Theatre and California University’s Department of Theatre and Dance will present “The Nutcracker” today at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Steele Auditorium.

Meanwhile, the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown will present the International Ballet Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Both productions are the perfect remedy for anyone who can’t get enough of this splendid holiday tradition.

“I think it’s popular because it’s such a vital part of the Christmas season,” said Chris Wagner, executive director of the State Theatre. “I think it wouldn’t be Christmas without ‘The Nutcracker.'”

Both productions promise plenty of what makes “The Nutcracker’ great – beautiful ballet, the enchanting music of Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky and local children who have been rehearsing their performances for the past two months.

California hosted auditions for local children the last weekend in September while the State Theatre held auditions in October. California is using about 80 youths while the State Theatre has 32 children in its cast. Casting the parts was not difficult, according to theater employees. The area boasts a good share of dancing schools, but more importantly, the children are able to meet the standards set for a professional show.

“We are blessed with lots of talent in this area,’ Marovic-Anthony said. “I think the talent in the area is very high, and it makes it easier for us because we do have so many to choose from.’

She also noted that students who are in dancing schools are already accustomed to doing a revue. “Being in a studio, there’s a dedication they already have,’ she said. “It’s not a problem when they come to dance with us. There’s an understanding of how it works. We hand out a schedule, and that’s it.’

The youths came to California to rehearse weekends for “The Nutcracker’ while children performing in the State Theatre production were taught their parts by Kelly Jenkins at her Fayette School of Ballet in Uniontown. California brought in guest artists to work with the local dancers before this weekend’s performances.

Jenkins is the local choreographer for the State Theatre’s production until area dancers meet with the International Ballet Theatre for rehearsal before the actual performance. The International Ballet Theatre features Russian dancers but is based in Philadelphia. The company is on tour with “The Nutcracker’ throughout the country through Dec. 23.

“I think the major benefit for the children is they are able to perform with a professional dance company,” Wagner said. “They get to meet other children and develop friendships and camaraderie. And they’re supporting local theater. I think that’s extremely important to the children of the community.’ Alexander Boitsov, artistic director of the International Ballet Theatre, said it’s good experience for the children to dance with professionals.

“The difference between this and the dance studio atmosphere is that there has to be internal motivation,” Marovic-Anthony said. “There is no medal, no reward. You do it because you enjoy it and love it. … You get to move beyond what you’re used to, experience new styles, atmosphere and people. And being in the theater with the technical crew is different from a revue where the dance teacher runs everything.

“Hopefully, they enjoy it and want to come back,” she added. “Maybe it will encourage some people to pursue dancing because they see it on a different level.’

“The Nutcracker” story begins with a Christmas party planned at the home of Clara and her mischievous brother, Fritz. The party guests arrive – boys and girls, mothers and fathers. Everyone enjoys dancing and refreshments.

And then the children’s mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyer makes an appearance, bringing with him fabulous gifts that include a beautiful nutcracker soldier for Clara. Feeling jealous, Fritz tries to take the nutcracker from his sister, breaking the gift in the process. Clara is heartbroken. Drosselmeyer attempts to fix the nutcracker, but soon it is time for bed. The party ends with Clara still worried about her gift.

She eventually goes to sleep, and that’s when mysterious and magical things begin to happen. Fighting mice, dancing snowflakes, the Sugar Plum Fairy and a heroic Nutcracker all come to life on stage.

The California University production of “The Nutcracker’ is in its 13th season. Dr. Richard Helldobler, interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts, is the choreographer. Guest artists for the ballet include Andrew Drost of New York City who will dance The Sugar Plum Prince and the Snow King, and Matthew Winnegge, a California University graduate who is working in theater and living in the New York City area. Winnegge will portray the lead Spanish dancer and the Rosebud Cavalier.

Featured performers include Maria Gismondi, who will give her last performance as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She is a senior theater major with a minor in education who plans to move to New York. Kris Pramuk of Masontown, who is a teacher at Uniontown Area High School, will play the Snow Queen. The two women will alternate parts for one show.

Lisa DeMedio of Brownsville, a sophomore at California University, will play the Dew Drop Fairy and will be the Snow Queen for one show. Jerrica Blankenship of Morgantown plays Clara. Charles Lowery plays Fritz.

This year’s show will also feature a new costume for Mother Ginger as well as new costumes for the 16 corps dancers.

The International Ballet Theatre, which has toured “The Nutcracker’ since 1997, was founded in 1992 by choreographer Vladimir Shumeikin, ballet master Alexander Boitsov, his late wife, prima ballerina Irina Matiash-Boitsova, and costume designer Galina Shumeikin, according to the theater’s Web site.

“Company performances feature former students of Mr. Shumeikin from his teaching days in Russia and Ukraine, members of the companies he headed in Russia and guest artists from major ballet companies and around the world,’ the Web site reported.

Interviewed by the Herald-Standard, Boitsov said his company’s version of “The Nutcracker’ is “a little different than the American style – different choreography and the story is a little different, too.’

He enjoys working with area children in the ballet productions, noting, “The local teachers from the ballet schools do a very good job.’

While touring with “The Nutcracker’ can be exhausting as the company strives to meet demand, Boitsov is ready for the task. “My job is to make happy faces after the show,” he said. “That’s very important. It’s my job to make people happy.’ Why such a demand for “The Nutcracker?’ Why do people respond so well to it? Boitsov noted it’s because “all American people know the ballet.’

“It’s like a tradition at Christmastime,” he added. “It’s like magic.’ For the latest on ticket information, call California University box office at 724-938-5943 or the State Theatre box office at 724-439-1360.