The Dance Factory and Music Studio Inc. in Delavan presented Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” ballet at Lake Lawn Resort on Nov. 23 and has two performances remaining.
“This is our 23rd year performing ‘The Nutcracker,’” said Tina Hansen, Dance Factory owner and director. “I love the magic of the story and how dance makes it come alive.”
This year, the character Clara, a German girl who dreams of a Nutcracker prince is played by 10-year-old Katia McCann, of Lake Geneva. McCann has been dancing since she was 2-years-old with The Dance Factory.
“I love being Clara and being a part of her dreams,” McCann said. “The costumes and dances are so beautiful.”
Clara’s annoying brother, Fritz, who accidentally breaks Clara’s beloved Nutcracker, is played by seventh-grader T.J. Gaulke, of Elkhorn. T.J.’s sister, Cassie, who is also in “The Nutcracker” as a BonBon and soldier, said getting into character to play an annoying brother wasn’t difficult for T.J.
The cast consists of 72 dancers from Walworth County and northern Illinois. Dancers’ ages span from 6 to 18 years old with an average age of 10.
The “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” is one of the most famous numbers in “The Nutcracker,” and is danced by senior Elizabeth D’Auria, of Fontana.
The Dance Factory’s “The Nutcracker” is performed annually at Lake Lawn Resort and Young Auditorium in Whitewater.
“I am very excited for this year’s show as we have many new costumes and choreography,” Hansen said.
Remaining shows are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Young Auditorium and 7 p.m. Dec. 23 at Lake Lawn Resort.
Tickets for the Whitewater show are $15 to $22 and can be reserved by calling (262) 472-2222.
Tickets for the mini-show in Delavan are $12 for adults and $6 for children. A buffet dinner can be purchased along with tickets at a cost of $35 for adults and $15 for children. To make reservations for the show and/or dinner, call (262) 725-9155.
