Local Performers Join County's 'The Nutcracker'

When more than 100 of Westchester County's talented young performers take the stage next week in The Nutcracker, among them will be 17 Briarcliff Manor and four Pleasantville residents.

"Since early September, the company has been rehearsing every weekend (excluding holidays) and some weeknights at Ossining's Logrea Dance Academy, the school of the Westchester Ballet Company, and more recently at the County Center," said Beth Merchant of the Westchester Ballet Company. "Many of the older, more experienced dancers have multiple roles, requiring additional hours in the studio."

The Westchester Ballet Company has put on the annual production for 15 years at the in White Plains.

This year, Briarcliff Manor performers in the production include: Brooke Wilson (Snow Soloist, Dew Drop, Flue Solo, Party Parent), Julianna Brown (Party Child), Emma Calame-Pennington (Clown), Sydney Charles (Soldier), Julia Conzone (Solo Mouse), Olivia Gartner (Snow Corps, Russian Corps, Flower Corps), Isabella Katrina Gualtiere (Soldier), Charlotte Keeley (Flute Corps, Flower Corps, Snow Understudy), Elizabeth Madden (Party Child), Nina Morse (Solo Mouse), Zoe Morse (Solider, Angel), Cara O'Neill (Angel), Sarah Raphael (Angel), Alexa Shaw (Soldier), Miranda Suggs (Clown), Rachel Sukonnik (Page) and Oyinkansola Tukuru (Angel).

Pleasantville residents Oksana Aikens (Solo Mouse), Ariana Altman (Soldier), Gabriella Lo Bello (Angel) and Caroline O'Neill (Page) will also be gracing the stage during the holiday show.

"We have a dedicated and talented group of young dancers who work very hard to prepare for our performances," says Beth Fritz-Logrea, co-artistic director. "Their commitment and enthusiasm inspires all of us involved with the production."

In addition to younger local performers, this year Brazilians Marcella de Paiva Montes and Nayon Rangel Iovino, from The Washington Ballet in Washington, D.C., will appear as the Sugarplum Fairy and her Cavalier in The Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker is on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. at the Westchester County Center. Tickets are $20/general admission and $14/children ages two to 10 and seniors in advance; $25 for all tickets at the door. To reserve tickets, call 914-995-4050 or visit www.countycenter.biz or www.ticketmaster.com.

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