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This Weekend: Northwestern Studios to Perform ‘Hansel and Gretel’ and Spring Revue

By Jessica Isaacs | jessica@highcountrypress.com

The dancers of Northwestern Studios invite you to the annual spring performances, which will showcase their talents and entertain audiences of all ages. This year, at Watauga High School, catch the “Jazz, Tap and More” revue on Friday and Saturday, May 27-28 and “Hansel and Gretel: A Children’s Ballet” on Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29.

"Hansel and Gretel" guardian angels Isabella Cutillo, Carolina Norman and Savannah Troyer.
“Hansel and Gretel” guardian angels Isabella Cutillo, Carolina Norman and Savannah Troyer.

Northwestern Studios was established in 1989 under the direction of Wendy Fletcher, who remains an integral part of the studio’s work. Led today by owner/director Holly Roark, the studio has grown to serve a student base of more than 100 dancers every year.

The spring performances offer dancers an opportunity to showcase their artistry before an audience, and the public a chance to see what the studio has been working on throughout the past year.

“The dancers just have a good time in general doing these shows. Some of them jus love to perform and be on stage,” said Roark. “We have one little dancer who is 5 years old and after last year’s show she said, ‘I wish I could perform every day.’ They’re kids who like to entertain other people, which is one reason they’ve chosen dance, and I think they also have a good time with each other and enjoy creating something and putting it out into the community.”

Each performance will take place in Watauga High’s Ross Auditorium, 300 Go Pioneers Drive in Boone. Tickets are available online now at $11 for adults and $9 for children. Get them at the door for $12 for adults and $10 for children.

Each show will feature nearly 100 dancers ranging in age from toddlers to adults.

“Both of these shows are very entertaining, so people usually walk away from them with a very positive experience — they have fun and they get to see quality dancing,” Roark said. “They get to see what the kids have been working on throughout the year in our classes. Both shows are very enjoyable.”

Get your tickets in advance at northwesternstudios.tix.com.

Jazz, Tap and More: May 27-28

The “Jazz, Tap and More” revue will showcase an assortment of dances including ballet, hip-hop, tap and contemporary, and will feature the studio’s award-winning Northwestern Starz Competition Team.

“The ‘Jazz, Tap and More’ show is a variety of dances,” said Roark. “Most of the dances are very upbeat and it makes you want to dance in your seat.”

The revue will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 27 and at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28.

Hansel and Gretel: A Children’s Ballet: May 28-29

Adapted from the beloved children’s opera “Hansel and Gretel,” this ballet features comedy and a lot of cuteness! Roark said the beautiful music of the original opera, which was first performed in 1893, lends itself perfectly to a children’s ballet.

“It’s not like the scary version of ‘Hansel and Gretel.’ The mother is very loving. The children do get lost in the woods and they do find the witch,” said Roark. “They overcome the witch with the help of guardian angels, bluebirds of happiness and all sorts of interesting creatures they meet in the woods.”

The ballet will feature an original set with artwork by ballet teacher Courtney Boccardy, who will also play the role of the green-tongued wicked witch.

Carolyn Ward and Hannah Zimmerman will play the roles of Hansel and Gretel, along with Isabella Cutillo, Carolina Norman and Savannah Troyer as the guardian angels; Rebecca Anderson, Lily Lipford and Adaira Patrick as the bluebirds of happiness; Roark as the loving mother; and other dancers taking the roles of the gingerbread children, morning doves, wolf pups, twilight, angels, baby birds, black cats, mischievous tree frogs and gumdrops.

“There are plenty of moments with silliness on stage,” said Roark. “It’s a lot of fun.”

See “Hansel and Gretel” at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 29.

For more information on the studio, check out northwestern-studios.com, visit Northwestern Studios on Facebook or call 828-262-3262.

 

 

Dress rehearsal photos courtesy of Northwestern Studios:
Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.

Northwestern Studios "Hansel and Gretel" rehearsals.