Birmingham Ballet Senior Company Remembers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Birmingham, Al. For countless families who’ve made an annual event of Birmingham Ballet’s original presentation of The Nutcracker, this holiday favorite evokes special memories: of a fabulous story well-told, traditionally elegant yet always fresh choreography, and a very special family time.

For members of Birmingham Ballet’s Senior Company, The Nutcracker stirs many other priceless memories, as well. These young women have danced together for years, and have grown together. They’ve shared the stage and such demanding and luminous roles as Clara, Marzipan, Waltz of the Flowers, Snow Queen, Harlequin and Chinese, Arabian and Spanish dancers. And their recollections are as individual and as special as they are.

At one point, all of these dancers filled the ever-important roles of Mice, Bunny Soldiers, Gingersnaps, and Party Children. And those early roles and still vivid and meaningful. Sarah Paul still remembers the thrill of her earliest role. “I was a mouse. I was the one that got shot. I was so excited!”

Naturally, costuming is an integral part of Birmingham Ballet’s The Nutcracker. And the moment Gina Maiola first tried on her Candle Angel costume was a memorable one for her. “The first time I put the Angel costume on, I fell over and the hoop got stuck on my head.”

No one ever forgets dancing as Clara. Of course, managing the demands of such a role can be challenging. “I was [to be] on the news one morning at 6 a.m.” Elizabeth Howell recalls. “I had to get up at 3:30 a.m. to get ready and sew the curls to my hair.”

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a moment special. Sarah Fleming recalls the great fun she’s had backstage just getting ready for the show with all her friends. “One time, we all made gingerbread cookies. We decorated them with different kinds of candy and made the cookies into the different characters from The Nutcracker.”

Most of these extremely talented individuals dance more than one part in a given year’s The Nutcracker. Of course dancing more than one part means having more than one costume. Michelle Luo recalls, “I remember when I had to change to my Chinese costume after Waltz for the Finale.” And that posed a problem. “My costume was on the opposite end of the stage.” She enlisted a fellow dancer, who moved her costume to the necessary location for her during every performance. “He remembered,” says Michelle, “even when I forgot to remind him.” It’s not surprising that for some, like Nicole Luo, Michelle’s sister, a choreographic detail sparks the memory. Nicole recalls a particularly daunting piece of choreography. “I was a mouse,” she says, “and the Mouse King told us he weighed two hundred pounds. All the little mice got really nervous because part of the choreography was to carry the King offstage.” They managed just fine.

For Birmingham Ballet’s Senior Company, as well as the audience so fortunate enough to have seen their rising talent on display, the memories are joyful and plentiful. And as we come upon another magical presentation of The Nutcracker, there’s great news. The best memories are yet to be.

Performance dates for Birmingham Ballet’s The Nutcracker are Saturday, December 12, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are available in person at the BJCC Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including Publix Supermarkets or you can call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Prices are Adults, $25 and $35; and youths 18 and under $14.50 and $19.50. Purchase tickets to the VIP Nutcracker Tea ($25 each) prior to each performance to dine on finger sandwiches and sweets with characters from the show. Tea tickets are sold seperately in advance by calling Birmingham Ballet at 979-9492.