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Carole Mikita ReportingThe holiday season is full of special productions aimed at adding the needed cheer to hectic days. Arts Specialist Carole Mikita has a look at several of them.
Children dancing at a turn-of-the-century Christmas party -- Ballet West's production has been a must-see for generations of Utahns. The Nutcracker has deep meaning for many families throughout the state. One of them is dancer, Heather Thackeray; this is her 19th production.
Heather Thackeray, Ballet West Senior Artist, "In 1984, I was finally nine-years old, old enough to audition. And I've been doing the nutcracker ever since. My family was also able to be involved. My brother was in it with me a couple of years; I had cousins that were in it, so it became a family tradition."
Now from the traditional to the unique as Pioneer Theatre Company presents "Smokey Joe's Cafe". The toe-tapping sounds of the 60's are a different approach to holiday entertainment, but the performers say this show has 'heart'.
Performer: "You leave with all of this cheer and holiday spirit because you are so revved up by the show. And Lieber and Stoler actually wrote some Christmas music as well. And we give you a tiny taste of that in the finale."
And the old story with a new twist--'A Christmas Carol' set to music composed by Barlow Bradford and performed by a live orchestra at Hale Centre Theatre.
Barlow Bradford, Composer: "All of the sudden you have four or five minutes of a choral piece happening in the middle of this script. How do you integrate that so that your drama continues on? How does it heighten the drama that is going on? And they've done a fantastic job."
Whether familiar or new, thousands of Utahns will enjoy holiday shows that add magic and merriment to the season.
