Miami City Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' Debuts At Arsht Center
MIAMI (CBS4)- It's that time of the year again for ballet aficionados and families alike to enjoy the beauty and splendor of the George Balanchine's The Nutcracker.
In its 26th season, the Miami City Ballet is bringing to life the timeless classic that focuses on a Christmas party around a Christmas tree with gifts, family and a whole lot of kids. The production of The Miami City Ballet counts with the performance of 63 MCB children among the rest of the cast.
"It is wonderful to see the kids because it ends up being a memory… a life memory," Edward Villella, Founding Artistic Director, said.
Many of the young dancers are performing for the first time, others have been doing it for years.
The character Marie, the young girl, is performed by 11-year-old Margarita Armas. Armas, who has been dancing since the age of three, is a student at Doral Academy Middle School. She said that even though this is her second year in the production and she has been rehearsing her part since September, the nerves are the same.
"It's hard memorizing the steps and place to be, but at the same time it's awesome," said Armas.
The memories made both on and off the stage for all the performers are priceless, not only for the young dancers, but for the most veterans of all.
"The first principal role I did there I dance cavalier sugar plum fairy and it was a super big deal," said Villella, who first performed in the Nutcracker in 1957 with The New York City Ballet.
Miami City Ballet presents The Nutcracker Thursday, December 15th to Sunday, December 18th at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and on Wednesday, December 21st to 24th at the Broward Center.
Tickets range from $20 to $68.
