Leap into the holiday season with Ballet Etude’s fall performance
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REXBURG — Locally owned and operated Ballet Etude in Rexburg is leaping into the holiday season with Christmas at the Ballet on Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23.
“We have two things going on with this production,” Co-Artistic Director Kiersten Lewis told EastIdahoNews.com. “The first half is a little Christmas story based on a children’s book called The Perfect Christmas Tree.”
The performance’s first half will feature a short, narrated original ballet adaptation of the book, which tells the story of one community’s Christmas spirit.
The show’s second half will feature a collection of dances from Act 2 of The Nutcracker, featuring favorites like the Sugar Plum Fairy and more.
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“We don’t have Clara in the show, or the actual Nutcracker,” Lewis clarified. “We’re just doing those smaller pieces.”
With cherubs, elves, fairies and more, the show is designed to be family-friendly and magical. This year, for the first time, Santa will appear in the performance. Children will also have the chance to chat with St. Nick after the show.
Although there are a slew of kids in the show, Lewis said they aren’t there just to look cute. They have their choreography and dances to learn, and they’ve been practicing diligently.
“Hopefully, they all feel very comfortable and very confident in going out there,” she told EastIdahoNews.com. “We try to give them things that are appropriate for them but also challenge them.”
The performance will be held the weekend before Thanksgiving, with an evening performance on Friday, Nov. 22, and a matinee on Saturday, Nov. 23. Lewis said organizers hope that scheduling the performance before the holiday rush will attract more families to enjoy the ballet.
“It makes it easier to come see us because we’re not competing with all the other shows,” she said. “So people can come and see us and kick off their holiday season.”
Tickets for Christmas at the Ballet can be purchased on Ballet Etude’s website. General admission is $12; kids five and under are free. The performance will be at Madison Junior High, 134 Madison Avenue, in Rexburg.