Professional Dancers Perform 'The Nutcracker' in Manchester

Last weekend, Manchester was fortunate to have professional dancers Kimberly Van Woesik and Mario I. Espinoza from Ballet Hispanico in New York City perform at the Bailey Auditorium. .

Kimberly Van Woesik graduated from Southern Methodist University where she was honored by the Division of Dance by receiving the Outstanding Achievement in Dance Award at graduation. She has trained at Chamberlain School of Performing Arts, American Ballet Theater, Miami City Ballet, the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, and San Francisco Conservatory of Dance. Kimberly also grew up performing in Nutcrackers, her first role was that of a mouse. She then had a break from the Nutcracker world while in college, but has returned to the show again as a professional. Kimberly performed the highly esteemed role of Sugar Plum Fairy for all three shows Saturday and Sunday.

Mario received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Performing Arts from the University of California, Irvine, where he studied under many prestigious artists and also performed in ensembles, musical performances and non-university affiliated pieces. He has been actively employed for the past several years since graduating, living in Salt Lake City and San Francisco and performing regularly both in the United States and internationally. He dances both classical and contemporary ballet as well as modern repertoire. Currently, Mario is a dancer with Ballet Hispanico under the direction of Eduardo Vilaro. Mario performed as the title character, The Nutcracker this past weekend.

Artistic Director Wendy Fish-Lawrence was well pleased with their performance.

“Kim and Mario were very well matched as a couple and their lines were beautiful. They had a great presence and added a wonderful level of professionalism and pedigree to our production.”   

The accomplished dancers were not only professional but personable too. Kim and Mario traveled to Manchester from New York City after putting in a full day of work on Friday and arrived at the theater early Saturday morning for a special rehearsal and run-through of the show. They were well prepared to step right into the production. Between shows, they patiently signed autographs from enthralled young CCB dancers, which at one point formed a line that stretched halfway down a hallway. Kim also auctioned off the shoes she wore at each performance for the benefit of CCB, and graciously took pictures with the lucky winners.

This weekend Darren Christian McIntyre and Jennifer Grapes-McIntyre, most recently with the Milwaukee Ballet, will travel from Chicago to perform in Manchester.

Darren McIntyre is originally from Port Macquarie, NSW Australia. He has toured extensively throughout the United States, Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe and South America, performing a wide range of both classical and contemporary works. In May 2011, McIntyre completed his fourth season with the Milwaukee Ballet in Wisconsin; he then relocated to Chicago, Illinois, to continue his freelance performing career.

Grapes-McIntyre is originally from Kansas City, Missouri. Since completing her education, Jennifer has travelled all around the globe performing as a Principal Artist, master teacher, and adjudicator across the United States including on Broadway (Symphony Space and City Center) in New York City, Europe and Australia. Recently she completed her fourth season with the acclaimed Milwaukee Ballet.

While both couples follow the traditional choreography that is over 100 years old, the two weekend’s performances will not be identical. Each version presents variations of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Grand Pas de Deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Nutcracker that highlights each dancer’s and couple’s individual style and artistry.

A total of 250 accomplished cast members from Connecticut Concert Ballet will perform alongside these professional dancers. This most affordable Nutcracker in the area is known for elaborate staging, professional-quality costuming, intricate choreography and riveting dancing and has been a seasonal favorite for families and organizations such as scouting and arts groups. The Nutcracker is CCB’s major production of the year and provides funds for operating the school year-round that tuition alone doesn't cover and is a 37 year Connecticut holiday tradition.

Three more performances will be held at the Bailey Auditorium, Manchester High School, 134 Middle Turnpike East, on Saturday, December 17 (2 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and Sunday, December 18 (2 p.m.).

Ticket Information: Preferred Front & Center Seats $35; General Admission $25, Child/Student/Seniors $15.  

Tickets are available online at www.connecticutnutcracker.com, by phone (860) 418-7294, at Dance Village, 171 Spencer St, Manchester, and Hairdresser on Fire, 176 Broad St, Windsor, and at the door.

Connecticut Concert Ballet is a semi-professional 501(c)(3) classical ballet school and performing arts organization with studios in Manchester and Windsor, Connecticut and has 300 students from over 35 towns in the Greater Hartford area. For more information on the school please visit www.ctconcertballet.org or call 860-643-4796. For more information on Ballet Hispanico visit www.ballethispanico.org.