Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker return to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Walt Disney Theater- Thanksgiving Weekend, Saturday, November 27th

ORLANDO, FL – Orlando Community Arts, Inc., and Title Sponsor, Orlando Health are proud to present the return of Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Walt Disney Theater on Saturday November 27, 2021. This year’s holiday production will feature 150 children and youth from Central Florida. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the members of the cast showed true resilience by attending their weekly rehearsals at their perspective dance studios, and this year’s production will provide these youth high quality performing arts access on one of the largest stages in the region. Jere’ James, founder of Inez Patricia School of Dance provides the artistic direction along with a host of professional trained choreographers, many of whom have trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker is an adaptation of the classic E.T.A. Hoffman Nutcracker story with a multicultural soulful spin. This live dance production features Clare, a young African American girl from Harlem, played by Mariyahna “Mari” Sallis, a 15-year-old dancer from Central Florida. Clare embarks on a magical Christmas journey around the world accompanied by her newfound friends, the Chocolate Nutcracker Prince, played by Dominq Luckie of Ballet Memphis and the Sugar Plum Fairy, played by Laura Pretel of Central Florida. Just in time for the Christmas Holiday, Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker will put you in the holiday mood as the audience journey many lands with Clare, the Chocolate Nutcracker Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Part of the production’s cast will perform an excerpt from the show at FusionFest on Saturday November 27 on the OUC Massey stage at 12:45PM.  This event is free and it serves as a small taste of what’s in store for guests who attend the evening’s performance at the Dr Phillip’s Center for Performing Arts at 7PM.

Orlando Community Arts, Inc., President, Beverly Page, published author and Executive Producer of Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker has shared her passion for the arts while building a performing arts legacy in the Central Florida community. Inspired by the urge to see more African American representation during holiday performances, Beverly, an educator, and trained theater professional, wrote Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker as a theatrical production and later as a book. In addition, she has created and designed Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker merchandise to support the financing of this holiday production. Beverly is represented by Holloway Literary Agency.

For more information visit the website at www.clareandthechocolatenutcracker.com. Clare and Chocolate Nutcracker merchandise is now sold on Etsy.com, Walmart.com and on the Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker website. A group discount of 20% is available for ticket purchases of 10 or more for Mezzanine and Balcony seating available from the Bill and Mary Darden Box Office and online up to one week prior to the production on Saturday, November 27th. Please contact Guest Services at guestservices@drphillipscenter.org to inquire about the Center’s COVID-19 safety protocols which include masks indoors and a negative COVID-19 test.

About Carma Henry 24474 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*