Avon Family Stars In 'Nutcracker' At UHart in West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD/AVON, CT — One Avon family featuring a familiar television news face is starring in a holiday classic ballet performance through Sunday, Dec. 18.

For the first time, the on-stage family at The Hartt School Community Division’s "The Nutcracker" ballet will actually be a real family.

Kerri-Lee Mayland, best known as an award-winning veteran NBC Connecticut news anchor and her husband, Kirt Mayland, will dance alongside their daughter Katalina Mayland, 11, who plays the leading role of "Clara."

According to Kerri-Lee Mayland, dancing in the performance is nothing new, but the family affair is.

“I have danced as a ‘special guest’ in the party scene in the Nutcracker for quite a few years now and Kirt always said that if Katalina were to be cast the role of Clara, he’d dance too. Well, she’s Clara and he’s keeping his promise,” said Kerri-Lee Mayland.

“Dancing together has truly been such a rewarding experience and it’s something we never even imagined we would share as a family. We feel so grateful to be part of this.”

Kirt Mayland plays the role of Clara’s father and makes his dance debut in the opening scene with Kerri-Lee Mayland, Clara’s mother, and Katalina Mayland.

Getting the chance to be Clara has been a dream of Katalina Maylands’s since she started dancing at Hartt when she was 2.

“To my knowledge, we’ve never had a whole family perform together like this, and we’re thrilled,” said Sarkis Kaltakhtchian, Hartt School’s Artistic and Educational Director. “I specifically choreographed, HCD’s Nutcracker production for our students and their families. It is a unique and very special experience to have our HCD families share the stage together, each year.

"What a memorable occasion to share in the beauty of dance while celebrating the magic of this holiday season. I wish everyone to leave the theater filled with love, joy and wonder in their hearts.”

Tchaikovsky’s glorious score provides the magical backdrop for this full-length, family-friendly annual holiday production.

The enchanting story of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy is performed by the HCD dance department with stunning costumes and impressive props.

Performances will take place through Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Alfred C. Fuller Music Center’s Millard Auditorium at the University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford. Shows are currently slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets are available online at: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=uoh01.