Melrose's 'The Nutcracker' : Behind The Scenes

The following story and photos were submitted by Patch contributor Debra Collar. The above photos of 2016's performance are by Michelle Carson:

MELROSE, MA — Memorial Hall in Melrose, Massachusetts, costumes were being moved, seamstresses were hard at work and sets were being readied for the stage. Memorial Hall was a busy place with all of this activity. Well disciplined dancers of all ages also moved about the room practicing their routines or supporting friends on stage as everyone involved prepared for this year’s Melrose Youth Ballet (MYB) production of The Nutcracker Ballet.

MYB brings in professional dancers who work with students on stage and off. Young dancers also gain the experience of both learning from these professionals as well shaving the opportunity to perform with them. One such professional is this year’s “Nutcracker.” Michael McCarthy, who started dancing at the age of 8 at the C.C.S. School of Dance in Holden, Massachusetts. He also spent several years under contract with the Royal Caribbean Cruise line Company as a dancer. He has a degree in Dance Performance from Oklahoma University. “I always knew I wanted to dance professionally,” he says,” from the time my family somehow managed to get tickets, third row center, to a performance of The Nutcracker.

Co-Director Andrea Fanikos is delighted with her new title. It is her first year as Co-Director. As a young girl, she remembers dancing as an “Angel On-Pointe” in The Nutcracker Ballet with the Melrose Youth Ballet organization. “It’s been a big part of my life growing up and in my dance career.” Fanikos graduated from Wakefield High School and holds a degree in Public Relations with a Minor in Dance from Boston University. She is also proud to have been part of the “National Championship Dance Team for four years at B.U.” Time spent with the Melrose Youth Ballet, she says, ” has given me so much.”

Director Travers King was last year’s “Nutcracker” in the performance. His education took place at the University of Hawaii and London Contemporary School. “I started dancing when I was four years old.” His sister was taking dance classes when he became interested in it and joined a boys class of Hip Hop and Tap.

Melrose High School Senior Amanda Cavicchi, is taking part in the Nutcracker this year as a snowflake and a gumdrop. Following graduation, she is looking toward a future in Business and Dance as she heads off to college. She has been with the Melrose Youth Ballet for close to 8 years. Fellow classmate, Tess Mele, takes on the roles of snowflake, gumdrop and flower. As to college, her focus will be on Human Development and Family Services. Mele enjoys her time past an present with the MYB (Melrose Youth Ballet). She says ” It’s a great opportunity to meet people.” Cavicchi adds, ” I met my best friend here.” Although both girls are from Melrose, that isn’t the case with all the dancers. According to seamstress Julie Czerepica, “one of the unique things about MYB is there are girls from many communities.”

This year is bittersweet for Czerepica as, at the age 18, it is her daughter, Sophie’s last year with MYB. “I am so glad we have had the opportunity to meet all these girls.” Older kids become like babysitters for the younger crew just learning the routines of participating in a show. The minimum age to audition is 8 years old and “everyone who auditions gets a role.”

Adults at the hall, whether directors, professional dancers, seamstresses, or set designers all shared the same thought during theatre week rehearsals,“to us, the kids are the stars.”

The Nutcracker Ballet showtimes and ticket prices are:

Friday, December 1st – 8 p.m.
Saturday – December 2nd 1:00p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday – December 3rd 1:00 p.m. (SOLD OUT!)
Adults – $22.00
Seniors 65+ $16.00/ Children 12 and under $16.00
Tickets may be purchased at Pepperberry Florist, 439 Main Street, Melrose, Massachusetts or at the door