Sierra Nevada Ballet presents 'Peanutcracker — The Story in a Nut Shell'

The Sierra Nevada Balletwill present the popular “Peanutcracker — The Story in Nut Shell” throughout the Carson City and Reno region this December.

Based on the Peter Tchaikovsky’s original ballet “The Nutcracker,” "Peanutcracker" is a shorter, 45-minute narrated version that is “designed for families with younger children to introduce them to the wonderful world of ballet,” noted Rosine Bena, Artistic Director of the Sierra Nevada Ballet. Bena wrote and choreographed this traditional holiday show.
  
This year’s performances will feature the Ballet's professional dancers, apprentices, and trainees, in addition to dance students from Western Nevada Performing Arts Center in Carson City and In Motion Studio of Dance in Reno. "Peanutcracker" features Sierra Nevada Ballet stars Larissa Cassera and Alexander Biber.

Carson City Schools Presentation – Dec. 3
The first event of the season is scheduled for Dec. 3  and will be a special presentation for students throughout the Carson City and Dayton region.

Schools are reminded to reserve their spot now by contacting Crystal Kenison at tckenison@sbcglobal.net or by calling (775) 461-0060. As part of the student programs, the Sierra Nevada Ballet welcomes sponsorships and donations for AT RISK children. Businesses or individuals who would like to send a child to the ballet should contact the Sierra Nevada Ballet at (775) 783-3223.  

Two exclusive school shows will be presented at the Carson City Community Center located at 851 East William Street in Carson City.  For times and reservations contact Crystal Kenison at Everything Dance Etc.

Carson City General Public Show – Dec. 4
In traditional fashion, "Peanutcracker — The Story in Nut Shell" will open its public performance at the Carson City Community Center this year on Dec. 4.  The shows are scheduled for at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices start at $6 for youth (15 and under); all other tickets are $11 and can be reserved or purchased at Everything Dance Etc or by calling (775) 461-0060.

Reno Schools Presentation – Dec. 14
Students in the Reno area can enjoy this special holiday event at the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts on December 14th at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 PM. For ticket information and school reservations, contact Everything Dance Etc. at (775) 461-0060 or the Sierra Nevada Ballet at (775) 783-3223.

The Story in Nutshell
Bena was first inspired to create this special production for families by young audience members. After 25 years of performing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy professionally, Bena came to discover through speaking with young fans that the Nutcracker was often children's first introduction to ballet and often very young children found the full two hour ballet too long and difficult to follow.

Bena produced her first mini version of the Nutcracker with narration in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1993.  The short ballet with its growing Christmas tree and animated story telling proved to be very popular.   She continued to present this (as the Artistic Director of Perspectives Dance Theatre and The Reno Ballet) to audiences in the San Francisco Bay Area every year through December of 2000 until Rosine moved permanently to Nevada and started the professional ballet company, Sierra Nevada Ballet.  
 
Sponsor a Child Program
Through the generosity of many sponsors, Sierra Nevada Ballet was able to invite thousands of “at risk” children to attend performances at the Pioneer Center for free and over 3,000 to attend at the reduced rate of $5. Individuals or businesses who are interested in helping to sponsor free tickets for the Carson City or Reno performances for schools should contact Sierra Nevada Ballet. 

About the Sierra Nevada Ballet
Versatile and innovative, Sierra Nevada Ballet is northern Nevada’s only professional ballet company and incorporates the popular with the experimental. Always a crowd pleaser, the Ballet offers music and different types of dance from well known classical to new age contemporary original pieces. 
Sierra Nevada Ballet is supported by the Nevada Arts Council, the E.L Cord Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, Carol Franc Buck Foundation, the City of Reno, the City of Carson Redevelopment, Western Nevada Performing Arts Center, In Motion Studio of Dance and Western Money Systems.

For more information, contact Sierra Nevada Ballet at www.sierranevadaballet.com or call (775) 783-3223.