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Dec. 16--KISSIMMEE -- The Orlando Ballet brought The Nutcracker to Osceola County this week, a historic first for a county more accustomed to rodeos than the music of Tchaikovsky.
But the 34-year-old dance company would like something in return: a loosening of rules banning alcohol from the school where the holiday ballet is being performed.
The company had hoped to serve wine at a reception for special guests before Friday's performance at the Osceola County School for the Arts. Because of district rules, they had to settle for soft drinks.
"It doesn't make us look too sophisticated," caterer and ballet board member Roy Oddo said this week. "People that are coming don't know about these [rules]. All they know is that, 'Oh, in Osceola County you can't have a glass of wine.' "
The ballet group booked the school's theater a year ago. Event organizers, however, did not learn of the prohibition on alcohol until November, when plans to host the reception solidified.
Osceola's School Board has forbidden the consumption, sale or possession of alcohol on any school property since 1976. That's not what the ballet expected.
"When you're renting [the theater] out, you're renting it as a different facility," Oddo said. "It's not a school anymore. It's a private function that somebody is paying extra money for."
School officials cite liability questions and student safety as reasons for the policy. And despite the ballet's request for a change in the alcohol ban, district officials are not rushing to accommodate it. That leaves the matter with the School Board.
Board members could discuss the issue next month, when School Board rules will be reviewed for the district as a whole, and bring it to a vote. Any policy change also must be advertised at least a month before being approved.
That was too late for this year's reception. But citing tradition and their desire to return to Osceola next year, ballet officials hope the alcohol policy will be reconsidered.
"We wouldn't mind doing this again [requesting permission from the board]," said Russell Allen, Orlando Ballet executive director. "It only happens once a year. Besides, it gives us an opportunity to tell the board about all the wonderful things we've been doing in the community."
The predicament at the arts school, all parties agree, is rather unusual. That's because its 2,000-seat auditorium, formerly the Tupperware Auditorium and Convention Center, is rented year-round to performers. Last school year, it generated about $226,000 in revenue for the school district.
Some think in order to cement it as a viable commercial venue and satisfy its customers, the theater should be more flexible.
"This is something you specifically rent for entertainment," said county Property Appraiser Atlee Mercer, who made a plea on the ballet's behalf at a School Board meeting on Dec. 5. "That venue might have its own set of rules because of its very unique character."
Parents are divided. Some argue the theater should be allowed to operate differently than other schools. Others say it might be wise to avoid the pitfalls of alcohol.
"I don't care one way or the other," said Lavinia McMillen, the mother of a 10th-grader. "It's a private event; plus the theater is a separate entity. I see this as a business activity."
Not so for Clif Hickok, who said he would be hesitant to rush to a decision.
"I can certainly see why they'd want to do it. I'm a wine drinker myself," said Hickok, the father of an 11th-grader. "But I think there are some repercussions we have to think about."
Hickok said alcohol-related conduct, such as drunken-driving accidents or rowdy behavior by theatergoers, could expose the district to lawsuits and disrupt the peace.
"I've been in that theater when alcohol has not been served and people have behaved as if they were at a tennis match," he said. "If you add alcohol to the mix, there could be potential problems."
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Orlando Sentinel, Fla.
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