LABT presents holiday classic

The Lake Area Ballet Theatre will present “The Nutcracker” Nov. 15-17 at the Rosa Hart Theatre. The full-length holiday tradition will feature over 150 local dancers as well as returning guest artist Ramon Gaitan.

Gaitan, originally from Nicaragua, has danced professionally with the Dayton Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Maryland and Richmond Ballet. Gaitan will play the role of “Cavalier” beside the “Sugar Plum Fairy” performed by local principal dancer Marietta Campagna. Campagna is an advanced student at the Lake Charles Dance Academy.

LABT’s version will follow the production traditions started by the 1963 performance from Ida Winter Clarke and the Lake Charles Ballet, said artistic director Colleen Benoit. Clarke’s version was only the fourth performance ever of “The Nutcracker” in the United States, “a big honor for the state and Lake Charles,” said Benoit.

Atop of a backdrop of Tchaikovsky’s timeless compositions, area dancers will weave the Christmas tale of Clara’s journey to the “Land of Sweets.” LABT’s version sticks closely to the traditional telling of story adhering to a light hearted, fun and fantastical depiction sure the leave a smile on audience member’s faces, said Benoit.

The ballet will utilize some of the ballet’s original props and costumes from the 1963 as well as updated fashions and settings by local artists Ronnie Collins and Samantha Austin. “It looks like Victorian Christmas card or Disney World!” Benoit said. “Your eyes you can’t look enough places.”

School performances will be Thursday and Friday at 9:00 a.m. and balcony seats will be available once all students are seated for $10. Public performances will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling the Lake Charles Civic Center box office at 337-491-1256.

For more information visit, <span class="text_link link_wrap type_url" data-link-type="URL" data-link-target="http://www.lakeareaballettheatre.com"><span style="font-weight: bold;">www.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">lakeareaballettheatre.</span></span><span class="text_link link_wrap type_url" data-link-type="URL" data-link-target="http://www.lakeareaballettheatre.com"><span style="font-weight: bold;">com</span></span>.Nutcracker