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December 2, 2010

Muskogee residents make classical ballet a family affair

— TAHLEQUAH — Two Muskogee families are busy rehearsing for their roles in Tahlequah Ballet’s upcoming production of the Christmas classic ballet, “The Nutcracker.”

Performances are at 7 p.m. today and Saturday at Tahlequah High School’s Performing Arts Center. Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.shop.tahlequahballet.org or by calling 207-0111. All seats are reserved and prices are $12, $10 and $8 each.

This is Tahlequah Ballet’s fourth annual production of this holiday favorite set to the traditional music of Tchaikovsky featuring classical Russian ballet choreography, costumes and set. This year, the cast of 70 includes two families from Muskogee — Brendan and Erin Crotty, children of Dr. James and Jennifer Crotty; and Heidi and Freddie Wilkinson, wife and daughter of Matt Wilkinson.

Eight-year-old Brendan Crotty will be dancing a lead role as Fritz, Masha’s (Clara) brother and will perform in Act I. His sister, Erin, 10, will dance in both acts first as a boy party guest in act one and then in a traditional ballet Maypole scene in act two. Both children are students of Elena Gladkova-Huffman, ballet mistress and assistant director of Tahlequah Ballet’s Performing Arts Academy.

Heidi Wilkinson will be featured at the beginning of the program as a party guest dancing en pointe en route to the Christmas party. This scene is set in front of a beautiful Russian skyline and features the most advanced dancers in the company. She also will be performing as the Dove of Peace throughout act two. This character replaces the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tahlequah Ballet’s version of the story and it is her land of peace and harmony that the young Masha visits in her dream. Freddie Wilkinson, who will turn 7 on dress rehearsal day, also dances two roles — one as a butterfly dancing in the same scene with her mother as the Dove of Peace, and the other as a Russian Child of the World. Both Heidi and Freddie Wilkinson also are students of Tahlequah Ballet’s Performing Arts Academy.

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