Staff report
Christmas magic will begin the holiday season in Carson City when Pinkerton Dance Company presents its 15th anniversary production of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet.
Mice fight soldiers and a flying sleigh takes Clara and the Nutcracker to the Kingdom of Sweets during the full-length, traditional ballet.
The performances will be Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28-Nov. 30, on Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center.
The cast includes several nationally-renowned dancers and area performers who were selected through an audition in September.
Tristi McMaster, nationally known ballerina and a former Carson City resident, will dance the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy. McMaster has performed with several companies including the Richmond Ballet, the Atlanta Ballet, the Washington, D.C., Ballet and the Washington Opera.
Michael Crawford of the Dance Theater of Harlem will perform the part of the Cavalier. He has danced with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Joyce Tristler Dance Company.
Armen Hagopian and Company, professional Russian folkloric dancers, will make their sixth appearance with the "Nutcracker" cast.
Norvell Robinson, who has performed with the Richmond Ballet, will partner with Natalie Berger, formerly with the International Ryrie-Woodbury Company, in the Arabian Coffee Dance.
About 75 local students will also perform in "The Nutcracker."
Rachel Chipp, a former Pinkerton student who studied dance at University of Utah for two years, will play the Snow Queen. She is studying dance at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Tamara McMaster-Meheringer, another former student of Pinkerton, will dance the part of the Arabian. She studied dance at Marin Ballet in Marin County, Calif. The Carson City resident's children, Coltin Harner, 7, and Cameron Meheringer, 5, will also perform as soldiers.
The Dew Fairy will be Sarah Kitchen, a senior at Carson High School. She has danced with Pinkerton since she was 4. She is on the school honor roll and volunteers as a candy striper at Carson-Tahoe Hospital.
Her sister, Becca Kitchen, will also perform as the Doll and in the Marzipan Pas de Deux.
Because the set makers built two "flying sleighs," the audience may pose for pictures in a sleigh with Clara, the Nutcracker and other cast members during intermission.
If you go
What: Pinkerton Dance Company's "The Nutcracker"
When: Nov. 28-Nov. 30, on Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Where: Carson City Community Center, Roop and East William streets
Tickets: Tickets are available through Wednesday at The Bookcellar, 1202 N. Carson St., or can be ordered by phone with a credit card by calling 885-7772. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for seniors or students; group discounts are available for groups of seven or more.
Information: Call 782-8608.
