'The Nutcracker' ballet opens Friday in Carson

For the past 17 years, the Pinkerton Dance Studio in Carson City has been putting on a performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" ballet for the holiday season. While the faces and choreography have changed, one thing remains the same.

"It's a lot of work doing the choreography and working with the performers," said artistic director Ayako Britt.

Even though it is the 17th year the classic ballet will be presented, the production holds open auditions for the more than 80 performers needed and integrates new choreography into the performance each year.

"It's a lot of hours to get the choreography changed every year. For every three hours of work, you get about 11Ú2 minutes of dancing. Sometimes it just comes out, and sometimes you have to pull at it," said Britt.

Britt, along with Vickie McMaster, has been the artistic directors for the show since 1989.

The show will feature nationally known artist Tristi Ann McMaster, a native of Carson City, who will reprise her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She has performed with the Richmond (Va.) and Washington, D.C., ballets and been a soloist with the Atlanta Ballet.

Joining her on stage in the role of the Cavalier will be Alvaro Palau, who is currently in his 10th year with the Washington Ballet.

The role of Clara will be performed by Becca Kitchen, 16, of Carson City, on Friday and Sunday and Katie Lauer, 15, of Carson City, during Saturday's performance. Both teens will also perform as Snow Queen. The Nutcracker/Prince will be performed by Sebastiani Romagnolo, 16, of South Lake Tahoe.

"The cast changes and the kids grow up. We do an open audition so children from a number of areas come to perform. The kids who do this come back year after year. I think it's a good opportunity for them to get to actually dance, which doesn't happen in a lot of productions," said Britt.

The ballet will feature performers ages 3 to adult, from Carson City, Reno, Sparks, South Lake Tahoe, Dayton, Minden, Yerington and Gardnerville.

This year's performance will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday as well as a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Tickets are $24 for general admission and $18 for seniors and students and are available in advance at Sugar Pine Cove gift shop, 1087 S. Carson St., or beginning 90 minutes prior to each performance.

n Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

If you go

What: The Pinkerton Ballet

Theater's performance of

"The Nutcracker" ballet.

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Where: The Bob Boldrick Theater at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

Price: $24 for general admission, $18 for seniors and students and can be purchased in advance at the Sugar Pine Cove gift shop, 1087 S. Carson St., or 90 minutes prior to the performances.