By Soncirey Mitchell
Reader Staff
Allegro Dance Studio performers have been practicing tirelessly for the third annual presentation of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, returning Friday, Dec. 13 for four full-length shows at the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave.).
The Christmas magic begins with opening night at 7 p.m. The Saturday, Dec. 14 shows are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., followed by a Sunday, Dec. 15 performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35-$40, depending on the seat, and available at allegrodancestudio.org/events.
Dancers from left to right: Lilah Kuhn, Jocelyn Simons, Elsa Reilly, Katherine Mellander, Jane Hughes, Ady Jolley and Cora Barcklay.
“There isn’t another ballet like it. Even after 130 years, it still captivates audiences with the music, dancing, storyline of adventure and fantasy all rolled into one, making The Nutcracker a significant part of the holiday season,” said Artistic Director and Choreographer Devyn Vaughan-Jolley.
This year, Vaughan-Jolley will not only debut new costumes and choreography but also two new, surprise roles, bringing something unexpected to the well-known Christmas classic.
The ballet features live music and performances from Jane Hughes as Clara; Estella Simmons as Clara’s brother Fritz; Katherine Mellander as the Sugar Plum Fairy; Elsa Reilly and Piper Davis as The Nutcracker and The Nutcracker Prince, respectively; Mike Wojack as Drosselmeyer; Cora Barcklay as the Rat Queen; Ady Jolley as the Dew Drop Fairy and Lilah Kuhn as the Eastern Princess.
Keep an eye out for “Waltz Of The Snowflakes,” starring Jocelyn Simons as the Snow Queen, which is among Vaughan-Jolley’s favorite parts of the ballet.
“The scene brings so much of the beauty and elegance of ballet into one. Personally, over the years of performing in The Nutcracker in different roles, dancing in ‘Snow’ instilled a love in me for the art form and this classic story,” said Vaughan-Jolley.
For more information, call Allegro Dance Studio at 208-610-0188, email at [email protected] or visit allegrodancestudio.org/events.
While we have you ...
... if you appreciate that access to the news, opinion, humor, entertainment and cultural reporting in the Sandpoint Reader is freely available in our print newspaper as well as here on our website, we have a favor to ask. The Reader is locally owned and free of the large corporate, big-money influence that affects so much of the media today. We're supported entirely by our valued advertisers and readers. We're committed to continued free access to our paper and our website here with NO PAYWALL - period. But of course, it does cost money to produce the Reader. If you're a reader who appreciates the value of an independent, local news source, we hope you'll consider a voluntary contribution. You can help support the Reader for as little as $1.
You can contribute at either Paypal or Patreon.
Contribute at Patreon Contribute at Paypal
Coming up this week! Don’t miss Science fun, the Backcountry Film Festival, Insanity Fab, and more! See the full list of events in the 
