Dance School with World Renown Background Brings Local “Nutcracker”

Dance School with World Renown Background Brings Local “Nutcracker”
                The Pottstown Dance Theatre Repertory Ensemble, under the direction of international dance artist Michelle Jones Wurtz, will once again bring “The Nutcracker” to the area for all to see.  The performance will take place at Boyertown Area High School (120 Monroe St., Boyertown 19512) on Dec. 13 at 7pm, as well as on Dec. 14 at 2pm.  There is a larger cast than in the recent past, and brand-new costumes that will enhance the entire production.
                This is the Rep Ensemble from the dance school that performed in London during the 2012 Olympic Games, performed at the International Dance Festival in Ladek Zdroj, Poland, performed at Lincoln Center in the same theater that just housed the American Ballet Theatre, and has performed multiple times at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  The dancers are preparing for another trip to Carnegie Hall in January, and many of the same performers will be featured in “The Nutcracker”. 
                Last year the school celebrated bringing 60 years of quality dance education to the Tri-County Area.  Alumni have danced with Atlantic Festival Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, Momix, and with Broadway shows and touring companies.  Many of the dancers recently took a masterclass with Bob Fosse’s protégé, Gary Flannery; a featured dancer in Fosse shows including the Oscar winning movie “All That Jazz”. 
                This year, “The Nutcracker” will be another family showcase as Rick Boone plays the role of Drosselmeyer, dances in the party scene with his wife Sarah, and their daughters Lucy and Rose are in the cast as well, dancing parts such as Nutcracker and Cherub Angel.  Joshua Shirk dances as the Mouse King and his sister Susan is a mouse, a girl in the party, and various roles in the second act.  The Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy roles are shared by Teagan Lee and Adleigh Strickland; and Adleigh’s brother Aidan is a gentleman in the party. The very coveted role of Clara is portrayed by Alaina Faust (and her mother dances multiple parts in the cast) and Kate Garcia.  The role of Fritz is shared by Claire Corcoran and Harlow Heber, and Harlow’s sister Harper is a soloist too, while sisters Lorelei and Cordelia Mowrer also perform various roles.  Haley Iannarino performs the Dew Drop Fairy solo as part of “Waltz of the Flowers”.  This show really brings families together!
                Tickets are $22 for adults if purchased in advance ($27 at the box office the day of show) and $20 for children/students/seniors in advance ($24 at the box office the day of show) and are available at Pottstown Dance Theatre (72 West Main St. Pottstown PA 19465), online at www.pottstowndance.com, or by calling 610-323-2569.  This is the ONLY local “Nutcracker” that has recently received funding from the PA Council on the Arts so do not miss it!