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ballet western reserve ‘Nutcracker’ gets Youngstown flair
If you go
What: “A Youngstown Nutcracker” by Ballet Western Reserve
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Powers Auditorium, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown
Tickets: 330-744-0264
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Ballet Western Reserve will stage its annual holiday performance of “The Nutcracker” on Saturday, but this time with a decidedly local flavor.
Stas Kmiec, artistic director of BWR, has created “A Youngstown Nutcracker,” which inserts characters from the city’s history into the traditional story.
Performances will be at 2 and 7 p.m. at Powers Auditorium.
The show will begin with a prologue that provides some historical context by Kmiec, with the help of H. William Lawson, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Pam Speis of the MVHS, and Auggie Heschmeyer.
Woven into the ballet are several figures who, in big or small ways, became part of the city’s fabric. They include:
John Smith, who established the city’s first brewery.
Emeline Warner Arms of the prominent industrialist family.
Joseph G. Butler Jr., industrialist, philanthropist and historian.
Mrs. John Piatkowski, matriarch of the first Polish family to settle in Youngstown.
Jacob Stambaugh, developer of the coal industry in the Mahoning Valley.
Col. George D. Wick, co-founder of Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. with James Campbell.
P. Ross Berry, a contractor and brick mason who was involved with the construction of many of the city’s most notable buildings.
David Tod, who became the governor of Ohio in 1861.
The historical figures are not the only hometown touch in the performance.
In Kmiec’s retelling, the Stahlbaums are an interfaith couple, Christian and Jewish, to reflect Youngstown’s cultural diversity. In addition to the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree, the performance incorporates Hanukah candles and some dancing dreidels.
Newscasters Glenn and Regina Stevens of 21 WFMJ-TV play Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum. They highlight a group of area actors, singers and musicians who are collaborating with BWR on the production.
BWR company dancers and students will perform the lead roles. Three young BWR dancers will split the central role of Marie: Della Toliver in the student performance Friday morning, Hunter Lombard at the 2 p.m. performance Saturday, and Lulu Herman for the final performance. Tolliver will become the first African-American to play Marie in a BWR production of “The Nutcracker.”
The lead dance role of the Sugarplum Fairy will be shared by Rachel Rhodanz (Saturday afternoon) and Charli Littleton (Friday morning and Saturday evening).
Kmiec himself will perform the role of Herr Drosselmeyer.